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Dragonkeeper #1
Dragon Keeper
In the time of the Han Dynasty in ancient China, the last remaining dragon is in danger of being killed by the cruel Emperor. A nameless orphan with no past and an uncertain future becomes his unlikely ally. The young orphan soon discovers that it is her destiny to protect the aging dragon and his mysterious purple stone. Chased by an evil dragon hunter and a powerful sorcerer, their adventure is not easy. Each must learn to help and understand the other if they are to survive. To succeed in her task, the young orphan must reach deep within herself to find courage she never knew existed. No longer can she be the timid, shy orphan she once was. She is now the one, true Dragon Keeper.
333 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Carole Wilkinson
70 books278 followersCarole was born in England in 1950. Her family moved to Australia when she was 12. She now lives in Melbourne, with her husband John.
Carole didn't start writing until she was nearly 40. Before that, she worked as a laboratory assistant, working with a lot of blood and brains. Once she’d decided to try and become a writer, she went to university. She wrote a lot while she was there including her first novel. She showed it to a friend who worked in publishing who asked if she could write a teenage novel. Her first published book was based on something her daughter, who was at high school at the time, was doing.
Carole says she has lots of ideas and so far she’s never had 'writers' block'. She might have got a late start, but she’s been trying to make up for lost time and has written more than 30 books, some short stories, a telemovie and some TV and planetarium scripts.
Carole didn't start writing until she was nearly 40. Before that, she worked as a laboratory assistant, working with a lot of blood and brains. Once she’d decided to try and become a writer, she went to university. She wrote a lot while she was there including her first novel. She showed it to a friend who worked in publishing who asked if she could write a teenage novel. Her first published book was based on something her daughter, who was at high school at the time, was doing.
Carole says she has lots of ideas and so far she’s never had 'writers' block'. She might have got a late start, but she’s been trying to make up for lost time and has written more than 30 books, some short stories, a telemovie and some TV and planetarium scripts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 800 reviews
January 28, 2013
I read this book as a child and it moved me in a way that I'm unable to forget.
The book is stunningly written and refreshingly different. There are a few reasons why I admire Wilkinson so greatly:
Firstly, the setting of the novel is a challenge in itself. Not only is she setting her novel in China, but also in Ancient China. This would have meant months of research to adequately portray the world into which the reader is thrust.
Secondly, the young protagonist. A child protagonist is always challenging, no matter whether it's a children's or an adult novel. You need to dumb down vocabulary and simplify internal monologues. It's hard to get your point across. Wilkinson does this in such a way that reading and understanding Ping is as easy as breathing.
Finally, the fact that her novel is about dragons. Normally, I'd turn up my nose and sniff at such a plot. However, Wilkinson made me forget how much I disliked dragon fantasy.
I can't put into words how beautiful this novel is. Everyone should read it, whether you're 10-years-old, or 50.
The book is stunningly written and refreshingly different. There are a few reasons why I admire Wilkinson so greatly:
Firstly, the setting of the novel is a challenge in itself. Not only is she setting her novel in China, but also in Ancient China. This would have meant months of research to adequately portray the world into which the reader is thrust.
Secondly, the young protagonist. A child protagonist is always challenging, no matter whether it's a children's or an adult novel. You need to dumb down vocabulary and simplify internal monologues. It's hard to get your point across. Wilkinson does this in such a way that reading and understanding Ping is as easy as breathing.
Finally, the fact that her novel is about dragons. Normally, I'd turn up my nose and sniff at such a plot. However, Wilkinson made me forget how much I disliked dragon fantasy.
I can't put into words how beautiful this novel is. Everyone should read it, whether you're 10-years-old, or 50.
November 17, 2015
I'm writing this on behalf of my 11 yr old son. He adores this series. He is normally one who reads only for information. A three inch thick reference book about sea animals will occupy him for hours, but a novel will get scrutiny and a turned up nose. "Too thick, chapters are too long, words (font) are too tiny..." But I told him he needed to pick SOMETHING fiction and TRY to read it. And no, not Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
He actually ended up choosing the second book in the series (Garden of the Purple Dragon), not realizing it was a series. He LOVED it. Stayed up late at night reading (yep, he can, we homeschool) and raved and raved about it. He told me that I "must" read it too. When he finished, he begged me to get the first book (this one) and is reading it now, and loves it as much as the second book. We have also ordered the third book (Dragon Moon).
The things he says he loves about it are:
It is full of action.
He loves the dragon.
He loves the Asian culture.
He says is just "sucks him in."
Now I'm dying to read it--and will tell everyone I recommend it because it got my reluctant fiction reader to fall in love with a whole series!
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
He actually ended up choosing the second book in the series (Garden of the Purple Dragon), not realizing it was a series. He LOVED it. Stayed up late at night reading (yep, he can, we homeschool) and raved and raved about it. He told me that I "must" read it too. When he finished, he begged me to get the first book (this one) and is reading it now, and loves it as much as the second book. We have also ordered the third book (Dragon Moon).
The things he says he loves about it are:
It is full of action.
He loves the dragon.
He loves the Asian culture.
He says is just "sucks him in."
Now I'm dying to read it--and will tell everyone I recommend it because it got my reluctant fiction reader to fall in love with a whole series!
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
February 18, 2020
Pegasus'un başına taş düşmüş olmalı. Seneler sonra seriye devam ediyorlar 🤔 Darısı yarım kalan diğer serilerin başına.
May 17, 2019
Ladies and gentlemen you know; I have lot of overdue review. So I've been thinking that writing. Some would be highly controversial, so I've opted to choose the easiest review momentarily.
This book buys it from starting at a comic book shop that much, go is mostly my sister:-). Three-fourths of the novel I liked much, but it has disappointed me the end.
This is the novel of a slave girl, who has no name, and that should take care of animals, his master Lan, which is a vague, and a tyrant does not care, and there meets a dragon. The first thing I have to say is that it has been a success to put this novel in China of the dynasty have, as also surround the protagonist, which in the end will get a name of very good characters including a rat called Hua, which is a rat. Never gets to show any talent in particular except for the friendship, and loyalty (it is not little, and more in these times that run). The novel is very suggestive, and interesting, and is well set. He doesn't have a shocking fact, that to me it caught my attention while reading this novel, and is that the novel says, the emperor who unified china forbade his subjects read, so they become more intelligent than he. Say this, to denigrate those that are engaged to attack culture, and religion (especially Christian), and who dedicate themselves to praise others.
The world has created Wilkinson is very interesting and very suggestive, taking advantage of the great love, which is in the East by the Dragons. In the West, you know, that the Dragon is very frowned upon. Some writers such as Michael D. O'Brien has spoken that cannot be considered good a book, showing some positive quality of the Dragons. This wrote in his book, which I look forward to reading “A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's Mind”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... and also return to reiterate my desire to own Michael D. O'Brien to write a fantasy novel, has already written one science fiction and jump do not think, that it is very large. I am sure that both Michael D. O'Brien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
, as my admired Juan Manuel de Prada could write great fantasy books (in fact I am convinced that Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... )
has the gift). Away from me show my disagreement with Michael D. O'Brien at the end and after the dragon has been used as image to show the demon, but I do not think, that all writers who use dragons must be labeled bad Christians, or inappropriate. I think of my good friend Karina Fabian Lumbert, whose cycle Dragoneye recommend https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... I like you know I am a great admirer of Michael Ende and the dragon Fujur in "the neverending story" . I have also heard that Naomi Novik stories are very entertaining. In fact to Novik you have much affection, because he collaborated on a play, which I appreciated very much Neverwinternights Shadows of Udentride https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/4327... saga Eragon I was disappointed, but the first not displeased me https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... & from_search = true by not talking There are also some good dragon in Dragonlance saga https://www.goodreads.com/series/4175... I agree with O'Brien in a thing that the dragon in the West is an ominous symbol, but trust in and uses it in his work of fiction writer, and this makes the book is good, or bad. That, yes I confess that books, where the dragon is bad, as the works of JRR Tolkien I like most https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or what since comment with my friend Manny trilogy Sword and Serpent of Taylor R. Marshall. Where the dragon is more terrible and evil than one can imagine. It is also fascinating Morkeleb in 'Dragonbane' for Barbara Hambly-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., or the case of Dragonslayer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... although I didn't like the antichristianism of the Disney movie. However, I believe that I will continue reading novels of dragons. In fact one of my future readings will be "Serafina" Rachel Hartman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... and I also hope to someday read books by Donita K. Paul https://www.goodreads.com/series/4141... or Theresa Snyder's https://www.goodreads.com/series/1229... (also will have to negotiate with Farloft, so that I do not eat, just as I did with Vern:-). I don't want to end up like the man in the song, that what people want is that the Tiger eats as in "Life of Pi" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...). This novel, and I return to the topic main reminded me much the fantastic MedStar of my beloved Michael Ende its MedStar of Jimmy Buttons starring a guy from Jimmy black and a machinist, and in the first book facing a dragon. https://www.goodreads.com/series/7698... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... can say, Michael Ende was very popular in Asia, and his second spouse was Japanese (in this case, we can say one thing and is that Michael Ende and) (the case of the Lucky Dragon Fujur is based more on Eastern mythology in the West that the dragon is not bad). The writer of detective novels S.S. Van Dine via its charismatic Philo Vance character performs a brilliant dissertation on the dragons in his novel "Dragon Murder case" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Certainly take this opportunity to recommend my favorite fantasy "Brave Story" novel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (also although it briefly appears a dragon) dragon protagonist of this novel, although well, to me is what I liked least (so would the detractors of the Dragons), and then why go. The beginning is fast-paced adventurous Ping the protagonist is a character as my friend Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that always does the right thing. Why help Danzi to fulfill his wish that it is reaching the sea, although that put it in danger. If at first Ping depends on the dragon, papers were upset in the second part and it is Danzi, who just depending on Ping. The magical universe, which creates Wilkinson is very suggestive full of magical creatures that do not go, but are referred to as the Phoenix, Quillin (these no longer exist in our world) and Dragons there are few, which makes that you despite being a children's novel has a tone Twilight. Not to mention the scales with good magic which are 81, and bad magic that are 36. Yet not all magic is good, for example, there are some evil wizards (necromancers), in fact, the part of Wucheng which is the village of magicians is the best book by far (apart from that will have to overcome an ambitious, addictive and dangerous Hunter of dragons called Diao, who will be the main stumbling block during throughout the novel). ). It will also face the superstition of the Chinese people, and Ping will be she is a special person, and not only for their skills but by their fortitude, and their spirit of sacrifice. It is capable of giving up what you like most by Danzi. However, the dragon is in my opinion who is not at the height thing to Ping, and considered it to Ping, as a means to their ends. In this case to reach the sea. Even trick it to achieve their goal. It promises a reward, that is not going to meet. Treatment suffered by Ping when Danzi with Wang Cao becomes insulting first, and then slashing the betrayal (vale that Wang Cao, who is a guardian of frustrated dragon has some envy of Ping, because she is a keeper, and he does not) , and above is female, and slave, but an ancient creature as Danzi can access these low passions by lot of friendships that you have with Wang Cao is unacceptable and rejected, except for a strange stone, it is essential, and reach the sea the rest cares well little. So has displeased me) If I was more like the young emperor, albeit a bit capricious, and consented normal since it was raised in abnormal circumstances. It aroused my sympathy and curiosity, and not only the Ping, but what pleases me most is that Ping will return good for evil, and shows that it is someone to be trusted. The final will be the beginning of a saga. It is a very interesting book, and if it had not been for the final part I would have liked a lot more. Anyway, a recommended reading. PS. I ask forgiveness to users of Goodreads by not having been able to deliver this review yesterday, when I promised her you, although circumstances of force majeure avoided this :-(.
...........................................................................................................................................................................
Damas y caballeros ya saben, que tengo muchas críticas atrasadas. Así que he estado pensando cual escribir. Algunas iban a ser muy polémicas, así que he optado por escoger momentáneamente la crítica más sencilla.
Este libro lo compre de oferta en una tienda de comics a la que voy mucho, sobre todo va mi hermana :-). Tres cuartas partes de la novela me han gustado mucho, pero me ha decepcionado el final.
Esta es la novela de una chica esclava, que no tiene nombre, y que debe cuidar a los animales, que su amo Lan, que es un vago, y un tirano no cuida, y allí conoce un dragón. Lo primero que debo decir es que ha sido un acierto situar esta novela en la China de la dinastía Han, como también rodear a la protagonista, que al final conseguirá un nombre de personajes muy buenos entre ellas una rata llamada Hua, que es una rata. Nunca llega a demostrar ningún talento en especial salvo el de la amistad, y la lealtad (lo que no es poco, y más en estos tiempos que corren). La novela es muy sugestiva, e interesante, y está bien ambientada. No deja de haber un dato espeluznante, que a mí me ha llamado la atención mientras leía esta novela, y es que la novela dice, que el Emperador que unificó china prohibió a sus súbditos la lectura, para evitar que se volvieran más inteligentes que él. Esto lo digo, para denigrar aquellos que se dedican a atacar a su cultura, y su religión (especialmente la cristiana), y que se dedican a ensalzar otras.
El mundo que ha creado Wilkinson es interesantísimo y muy sugestivo, aprovechando el gran amor, que se tiene en oriente por los dragones. En occidente, ya se sabe, que el Dragón está muy mal visto. Algunos escritores como Michael D. O`Brien ha hablado de que no se puede considerar bueno un libro, que muestre alguna cualidad positiva de los dragones. Esto lo escribió en su libro, que estoy deseando leer “A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's Mind” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... y además vuelvo a reiterar mi deseo al propio Michael D. O`Brien de que escriba una novela de fantasía, ya ha escrito una de ciencia ficción y el salto no creo, que sea muy grande. Estoy seguro de que tanto Michael D. O`Brien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , como mi admirado Juan Manuel de Prada podrían escribir libros de fantasía excelentes (de hecho estoy convencido de que Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... tiene el don). Lejos de mí mostrar mi desacuerdo con Michael D. O`Brien al fin y al cabo el dragón ha sido utilizado como imagen para mostrar al demonio, pero no creo, que todos los escritores que utilicen dragones deban ser tachados de malos cristianos, o desaconsejados. Pienso en mi buena amiga Karina Fabian Lumbert, cuyo ciclo Dragoneye recomiendo https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Yo como ustedes sabrán soy un gran admirador de Michael Ende y el dragón Fújur en “La historia interminable” . He oído también que las historias de Naomi Novik son muy entretenidas. De hecho a Novik le tengo mucho cariño, porque colaboró en un juego, que yo apreciaba mucho Neverwinternights Shadows of Udentride https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/4327... La saga Eragon me decepcionó, aunque el primero no me desagradó https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Por no hablar de que en la saga de la Dragonlance también hay algún dragón bueno https://www.goodreads.com/series/4175... Estoy de acuerdo con O`Brien en una cosa en que el dragón en occidente es un símbolo ominoso, pero hay que confiar en como lo usa el escritor en su obra de ficción, y esto hace que el libro sea bueno, o malo. Eso, sí confieso que me gustan más los libros, dónde el dragón es malo, como las obras de J.R.R. Tolkien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... o lo que ya comente con mi amigo Manny la trilogía de Sword and Serpent de Taylor R. Marshall. Dónde el dragón es más terrible y maligno de lo que uno se pueda imaginar. También es fascinante el caso de Morkeleb en “Dragonbane” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... de Barbara Hambly, o el caso de Dragonslayer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... aunque no me gusto el anticristianismo de la peli de Disney. Con todo, creo, que seguiré leyendo novelas de dragones. De hecho una de mis futuras lecturas va a ser “Serafina” de Rachel Hartman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... y también espero leer algún día los libros de Donita K. Paul https://www.goodreads.com/series/4141... o los de Theresa Snyder https://www.goodreads.com/series/1229... (también tendré que negociar con Farloft, para que no me coma, igual que hice con Vern :-). No quiero acabar como el hombre de la canción, que lo que la gente desea es que se lo coma el tigre, como en “La vida de Pi” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... ). Esta novela, y vuelvo al asunto principal me ha recordado mucho a la duología fantástica de mi amado Michael Ende su duología de Jimmy Botones protagonizada por un chico de raza negra Jimmy y un maquinista, y que en el primer libro se enfrentan a un dragón. https://www.goodreads.com/series/7698... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... cabe decir, que Michael Ende fue muy popular en Asia, y que su segunda esposa era japonesa (en este caso, cabe decir una cosa y es que Michael Ende como en el caso del Dragón de la suerte Fújur se basa más en la mitología oriental que en la occidental por eso el dragón no es malo). El escritor de novelas policíacas S.S. Van Dine por medio de su carismático personaje Philo Vance realiza una brillante disertaci��n sobre los dragones en su novela “Dragon Murder case” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Por cierto aprovecho para recomendar mi novela de fantasía favorita “Brave Story” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (también aunque brevemente aparece un dragón) El dragón protagonista de esta novela, aunque sea bueno, a mí es lo que menos me ha gustado (por lo que agradara a los detractores de los dragones), y luego iré por qué. El comienzo es trepidante lleno de aventuras Ping la protagonista es un personaje como los de mi amigo Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , que siempre hace lo correcto. Por eso ayudará a Danzi a cumplir su deseo que es llegar al mar, aunque eso la ponga en peligro. Si al principio Ping depende del dragón, en la segunda parte los papeles se trastocan y es Danzi, quien acaba dependiendo de Ping. El universo mágico, que crea Wilkinson es muy sugestivo repleto de criaturas mágicas, que no salen, pero son mencionados como los Fénix, Quillin (estos ya no existen en nuestro mundo) y dragones hay pocos, lo que hace que pese a ser una novela infantil tenga un tono crepuscular. Por no hablar de las escamas con magia buena que son 81, y de magia mala que son 36. Con todo no todo lo mágico es bueno, por ejemplo, hay unos magos malvados (nigromantes), de hecho, la parte de Wucheng que es la aldea de los magos es lo mejor del libro con mucha diferencia (aparte de eso tendrán que sortear a un ambicioso, adicto y peligroso cazador de dragones llamado Diao, que será el escollo principal durante toda la novela). También deberá enfrentarse a la superstición del pueblo chino, y Ping se dará cuenta de que es una persona especial, y no sólo por sus habilidades, sino por su entereza, y su espíritu de sacrificio. Es capaz de renunciar a lo que más le gusta por Danzi. Sin embargo, el dragón es en mi opinión quien no está a la altura cosifica a Ping, y la considera a Ping, como un medio, para sus fines. En este caso llegar al mar. Incluso la engaña para conseguir su objetivo. Le promete una recompensa, que no va a cumplir. El tratamiento que sufre Ping cuando Danzi está con Wang Cao llega a ser insultante la primera vez, y luego roza la traición (vale que Wang Cao, que es un guardián de dragón frustrado tenga cierta envidia de Ping, porque ella es una guardiana, y él no, y encima es mujer, y esclava, pero que una criatura milenaria como Danzi acceda a estas bajas pasiones por mucha amistad que tenga con Wang Cao es inaceptable, y rechazable, salvo una extraña piedra, que es esencial, y llegar al mar el resto le importa bien poco. Por lo que me ha desagradado), si me ha gustado más el joven emperador, aunque sea un poco caprichoso, y consentido algo normal ya que fue criado en circunstancias anómalas. Despertó mi simpatía y curiosidad, y no sólo la de Ping, pero lo que más me agrada es que Ping va a devolver bien por mal, y demuestra que es alguien de fiar. El final será el comienzo de una saga.
Es un libro muy interesante, y si no hubiera sido por la parte final me habría gustado muchísimo más. De todas formas, una lectura recomendable. PS. Os pido perdón a los usuarios de Goodreads por no haber podido entregar esta crítica ayer, cuando os la prometí, aunque circunstancias de fuerza mayor me lo impidieron.
This book buys it from starting at a comic book shop that much, go is mostly my sister:-). Three-fourths of the novel I liked much, but it has disappointed me the end.
This is the novel of a slave girl, who has no name, and that should take care of animals, his master Lan, which is a vague, and a tyrant does not care, and there meets a dragon. The first thing I have to say is that it has been a success to put this novel in China of the dynasty have, as also surround the protagonist, which in the end will get a name of very good characters including a rat called Hua, which is a rat. Never gets to show any talent in particular except for the friendship, and loyalty (it is not little, and more in these times that run). The novel is very suggestive, and interesting, and is well set. He doesn't have a shocking fact, that to me it caught my attention while reading this novel, and is that the novel says, the emperor who unified china forbade his subjects read, so they become more intelligent than he. Say this, to denigrate those that are engaged to attack culture, and religion (especially Christian), and who dedicate themselves to praise others.
The world has created Wilkinson is very interesting and very suggestive, taking advantage of the great love, which is in the East by the Dragons. In the West, you know, that the Dragon is very frowned upon. Some writers such as Michael D. O'Brien has spoken that cannot be considered good a book, showing some positive quality of the Dragons. This wrote in his book, which I look forward to reading “A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's Mind”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... and also return to reiterate my desire to own Michael D. O'Brien to write a fantasy novel, has already written one science fiction and jump do not think, that it is very large. I am sure that both Michael D. O'Brien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
, as my admired Juan Manuel de Prada could write great fantasy books (in fact I am convinced that Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... )
has the gift). Away from me show my disagreement with Michael D. O'Brien at the end and after the dragon has been used as image to show the demon, but I do not think, that all writers who use dragons must be labeled bad Christians, or inappropriate. I think of my good friend Karina Fabian Lumbert, whose cycle Dragoneye recommend https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... I like you know I am a great admirer of Michael Ende and the dragon Fujur in "the neverending story" . I have also heard that Naomi Novik stories are very entertaining. In fact to Novik you have much affection, because he collaborated on a play, which I appreciated very much Neverwinternights Shadows of Udentride https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/4327... saga Eragon I was disappointed, but the first not displeased me https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... & from_search = true by not talking There are also some good dragon in Dragonlance saga https://www.goodreads.com/series/4175... I agree with O'Brien in a thing that the dragon in the West is an ominous symbol, but trust in and uses it in his work of fiction writer, and this makes the book is good, or bad. That, yes I confess that books, where the dragon is bad, as the works of JRR Tolkien I like most https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... or what since comment with my friend Manny trilogy Sword and Serpent of Taylor R. Marshall. Where the dragon is more terrible and evil than one can imagine. It is also fascinating Morkeleb in 'Dragonbane' for Barbara Hambly-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., or the case of Dragonslayer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... although I didn't like the antichristianism of the Disney movie. However, I believe that I will continue reading novels of dragons. In fact one of my future readings will be "Serafina" Rachel Hartman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... and I also hope to someday read books by Donita K. Paul https://www.goodreads.com/series/4141... or Theresa Snyder's https://www.goodreads.com/series/1229... (also will have to negotiate with Farloft, so that I do not eat, just as I did with Vern:-). I don't want to end up like the man in the song, that what people want is that the Tiger eats as in "Life of Pi" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...). This novel, and I return to the topic main reminded me much the fantastic MedStar of my beloved Michael Ende its MedStar of Jimmy Buttons starring a guy from Jimmy black and a machinist, and in the first book facing a dragon. https://www.goodreads.com/series/7698... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... can say, Michael Ende was very popular in Asia, and his second spouse was Japanese (in this case, we can say one thing and is that Michael Ende and) (the case of the Lucky Dragon Fujur is based more on Eastern mythology in the West that the dragon is not bad). The writer of detective novels S.S. Van Dine via its charismatic Philo Vance character performs a brilliant dissertation on the dragons in his novel "Dragon Murder case" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Certainly take this opportunity to recommend my favorite fantasy "Brave Story" novel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (also although it briefly appears a dragon) dragon protagonist of this novel, although well, to me is what I liked least (so would the detractors of the Dragons), and then why go. The beginning is fast-paced adventurous Ping the protagonist is a character as my friend Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that always does the right thing. Why help Danzi to fulfill his wish that it is reaching the sea, although that put it in danger. If at first Ping depends on the dragon, papers were upset in the second part and it is Danzi, who just depending on Ping. The magical universe, which creates Wilkinson is very suggestive full of magical creatures that do not go, but are referred to as the Phoenix, Quillin (these no longer exist in our world) and Dragons there are few, which makes that you despite being a children's novel has a tone Twilight. Not to mention the scales with good magic which are 81, and bad magic that are 36. Yet not all magic is good, for example, there are some evil wizards (necromancers), in fact, the part of Wucheng which is the village of magicians is the best book by far (apart from that will have to overcome an ambitious, addictive and dangerous Hunter of dragons called Diao, who will be the main stumbling block during throughout the novel). ). It will also face the superstition of the Chinese people, and Ping will be she is a special person, and not only for their skills but by their fortitude, and their spirit of sacrifice. It is capable of giving up what you like most by Danzi. However, the dragon is in my opinion who is not at the height thing to Ping, and considered it to Ping, as a means to their ends. In this case to reach the sea. Even trick it to achieve their goal. It promises a reward, that is not going to meet. Treatment suffered by Ping when Danzi with Wang Cao becomes insulting first, and then slashing the betrayal (vale that Wang Cao, who is a guardian of frustrated dragon has some envy of Ping, because she is a keeper, and he does not) , and above is female, and slave, but an ancient creature as Danzi can access these low passions by lot of friendships that you have with Wang Cao is unacceptable and rejected, except for a strange stone, it is essential, and reach the sea the rest cares well little. So has displeased me) If I was more like the young emperor, albeit a bit capricious, and consented normal since it was raised in abnormal circumstances. It aroused my sympathy and curiosity, and not only the Ping, but what pleases me most is that Ping will return good for evil, and shows that it is someone to be trusted. The final will be the beginning of a saga. It is a very interesting book, and if it had not been for the final part I would have liked a lot more. Anyway, a recommended reading. PS. I ask forgiveness to users of Goodreads by not having been able to deliver this review yesterday, when I promised her you, although circumstances of force majeure avoided this :-(.
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Damas y caballeros ya saben, que tengo muchas críticas atrasadas. Así que he estado pensando cual escribir. Algunas iban a ser muy polémicas, así que he optado por escoger momentáneamente la crítica más sencilla.
Este libro lo compre de oferta en una tienda de comics a la que voy mucho, sobre todo va mi hermana :-). Tres cuartas partes de la novela me han gustado mucho, pero me ha decepcionado el final.
Esta es la novela de una chica esclava, que no tiene nombre, y que debe cuidar a los animales, que su amo Lan, que es un vago, y un tirano no cuida, y allí conoce un dragón. Lo primero que debo decir es que ha sido un acierto situar esta novela en la China de la dinastía Han, como también rodear a la protagonista, que al final conseguirá un nombre de personajes muy buenos entre ellas una rata llamada Hua, que es una rata. Nunca llega a demostrar ningún talento en especial salvo el de la amistad, y la lealtad (lo que no es poco, y más en estos tiempos que corren). La novela es muy sugestiva, e interesante, y está bien ambientada. No deja de haber un dato espeluznante, que a mí me ha llamado la atención mientras leía esta novela, y es que la novela dice, que el Emperador que unificó china prohibió a sus súbditos la lectura, para evitar que se volvieran más inteligentes que él. Esto lo digo, para denigrar aquellos que se dedican a atacar a su cultura, y su religión (especialmente la cristiana), y que se dedican a ensalzar otras.
El mundo que ha creado Wilkinson es interesantísimo y muy sugestivo, aprovechando el gran amor, que se tiene en oriente por los dragones. En occidente, ya se sabe, que el Dragón está muy mal visto. Algunos escritores como Michael D. O`Brien ha hablado de que no se puede considerar bueno un libro, que muestre alguna cualidad positiva de los dragones. Esto lo escribió en su libro, que estoy deseando leer “A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's Mind” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... y además vuelvo a reiterar mi deseo al propio Michael D. O`Brien de que escriba una novela de fantasía, ya ha escrito una de ciencia ficción y el salto no creo, que sea muy grande. Estoy seguro de que tanto Michael D. O`Brien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , como mi admirado Juan Manuel de Prada podrían escribir libros de fantasía excelentes (de hecho estoy convencido de que Juan Manuel de Prada https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... tiene el don). Lejos de mí mostrar mi desacuerdo con Michael D. O`Brien al fin y al cabo el dragón ha sido utilizado como imagen para mostrar al demonio, pero no creo, que todos los escritores que utilicen dragones deban ser tachados de malos cristianos, o desaconsejados. Pienso en mi buena amiga Karina Fabian Lumbert, cuyo ciclo Dragoneye recomiendo https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... Yo como ustedes sabrán soy un gran admirador de Michael Ende y el dragón Fújur en “La historia interminable” . He oído también que las historias de Naomi Novik son muy entretenidas. De hecho a Novik le tengo mucho cariño, porque colaboró en un juego, que yo apreciaba mucho Neverwinternights Shadows of Udentride https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/4327... La saga Eragon me decepcionó, aunque el primero no me desagradó https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Por no hablar de que en la saga de la Dragonlance también hay algún dragón bueno https://www.goodreads.com/series/4175... Estoy de acuerdo con O`Brien en una cosa en que el dragón en occidente es un símbolo ominoso, pero hay que confiar en como lo usa el escritor en su obra de ficción, y esto hace que el libro sea bueno, o malo. Eso, sí confieso que me gustan más los libros, dónde el dragón es malo, como las obras de J.R.R. Tolkien https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... o lo que ya comente con mi amigo Manny la trilogía de Sword and Serpent de Taylor R. Marshall. Dónde el dragón es más terrible y maligno de lo que uno se pueda imaginar. También es fascinante el caso de Morkeleb en “Dragonbane” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... de Barbara Hambly, o el caso de Dragonslayer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... aunque no me gusto el anticristianismo de la peli de Disney. Con todo, creo, que seguiré leyendo novelas de dragones. De hecho una de mis futuras lecturas va a ser “Serafina” de Rachel Hartman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... y también espero leer algún día los libros de Donita K. Paul https://www.goodreads.com/series/4141... o los de Theresa Snyder https://www.goodreads.com/series/1229... (también tendré que negociar con Farloft, para que no me coma, igual que hice con Vern :-). No quiero acabar como el hombre de la canción, que lo que la gente desea es que se lo coma el tigre, como en “La vida de Pi” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... ). Esta novela, y vuelvo al asunto principal me ha recordado mucho a la duología fantástica de mi amado Michael Ende su duología de Jimmy Botones protagonizada por un chico de raza negra Jimmy y un maquinista, y que en el primer libro se enfrentan a un dragón. https://www.goodreads.com/series/7698... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... cabe decir, que Michael Ende fue muy popular en Asia, y que su segunda esposa era japonesa (en este caso, cabe decir una cosa y es que Michael Ende como en el caso del Dragón de la suerte Fújur se basa más en la mitología oriental que en la occidental por eso el dragón no es malo). El escritor de novelas policíacas S.S. Van Dine por medio de su carismático personaje Philo Vance realiza una brillante disertaci��n sobre los dragones en su novela “Dragon Murder case” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... Por cierto aprovecho para recomendar mi novela de fantasía favorita “Brave Story” https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (también aunque brevemente aparece un dragón) El dragón protagonista de esta novela, aunque sea bueno, a mí es lo que menos me ha gustado (por lo que agradara a los detractores de los dragones), y luego iré por qué. El comienzo es trepidante lleno de aventuras Ping la protagonista es un personaje como los de mi amigo Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , que siempre hace lo correcto. Por eso ayudará a Danzi a cumplir su deseo que es llegar al mar, aunque eso la ponga en peligro. Si al principio Ping depende del dragón, en la segunda parte los papeles se trastocan y es Danzi, quien acaba dependiendo de Ping. El universo mágico, que crea Wilkinson es muy sugestivo repleto de criaturas mágicas, que no salen, pero son mencionados como los Fénix, Quillin (estos ya no existen en nuestro mundo) y dragones hay pocos, lo que hace que pese a ser una novela infantil tenga un tono crepuscular. Por no hablar de las escamas con magia buena que son 81, y de magia mala que son 36. Con todo no todo lo mágico es bueno, por ejemplo, hay unos magos malvados (nigromantes), de hecho, la parte de Wucheng que es la aldea de los magos es lo mejor del libro con mucha diferencia (aparte de eso tendrán que sortear a un ambicioso, adicto y peligroso cazador de dragones llamado Diao, que será el escollo principal durante toda la novela). También deberá enfrentarse a la superstición del pueblo chino, y Ping se dará cuenta de que es una persona especial, y no sólo por sus habilidades, sino por su entereza, y su espíritu de sacrificio. Es capaz de renunciar a lo que más le gusta por Danzi. Sin embargo, el dragón es en mi opinión quien no está a la altura cosifica a Ping, y la considera a Ping, como un medio, para sus fines. En este caso llegar al mar. Incluso la engaña para conseguir su objetivo. Le promete una recompensa, que no va a cumplir. El tratamiento que sufre Ping cuando Danzi está con Wang Cao llega a ser insultante la primera vez, y luego roza la traición (vale que Wang Cao, que es un guardián de dragón frustrado tenga cierta envidia de Ping, porque ella es una guardiana, y él no, y encima es mujer, y esclava, pero que una criatura milenaria como Danzi acceda a estas bajas pasiones por mucha amistad que tenga con Wang Cao es inaceptable, y rechazable, salvo una extraña piedra, que es esencial, y llegar al mar el resto le importa bien poco. Por lo que me ha desagradado), si me ha gustado más el joven emperador, aunque sea un poco caprichoso, y consentido algo normal ya que fue criado en circunstancias anómalas. Despertó mi simpatía y curiosidad, y no sólo la de Ping, pero lo que más me agrada es que Ping va a devolver bien por mal, y demuestra que es alguien de fiar. El final será el comienzo de una saga.
Es un libro muy interesante, y si no hubiera sido por la parte final me habría gustado muchísimo más. De todas formas, una lectura recomendable. PS. Os pido perdón a los usuarios de Goodreads por no haber podido entregar esta crítica ayer, cuando os la prometí, aunque circunstancias de fuerza mayor me lo impidieron.
March 3, 2008
The story centers on a girl in 141 BC who has grown up as a slave of the Chinese Emperor's Dragon Keeper. She has been a slave her whole life, and does not know what her name is, or who her parents are. The Dragon Keeper is mean and lazy, so she cares for the 2 dragons in his place, but she does not care much for them, since all they do is lay around. They do not interact with her, or even eat the food she gives them. One day, the female dragon dies, and she feels guilty about this and tries to care for the remaining male dragon better, especially once she learns that she can hear what he is saying to her in her mind.
Suddenly, a dragon hunter comes, and is going to kill the remaining dragon for it's organs, so she helps it escape, but it will only leave if she goes with it. She goes with it, but only wants to go back to where she was, because even though her life has not been happy, it is the only one she knows. This becomes impossible, though, when she discovers that the dragon hunter is hunting for not only for the dragon, but also for HER, and that the whole country believes that she has stolen this dragon, and killed the other.
Even though she is not entirely fond of the dragon, she decides to accompany it on it's journey to the Ocean, and to do as the dragon tells her, and protect its stone. The dragon finds the stone even more important than its own health for some reason.
Well, there were good parts and bad parts to this story.
The good parts were that the dragon teaches her to count, which she has never learned, by saying, for example, 20 tens and 2 for 22, so throughout the book counting is done that way. This helps the reader feel more connected with her, in a way. I thought it was an interesting device. There is also a lot of adventure that happens, and the main character grows and changes a lot throughout the book, which is fun to read.
The bad parts are that there are a lot of boring downtimes between the adventurous parts, and they really drag. Also, the main character just goes along with the dragon, and takes a long time to warm up to him, even though he is very nice to her. She also seems to not care about what he is doing that much, which is dumb because she is going along with him, and when she finally DOES ask, about 20 pages from the end, she discovers it directly affects the rest of her life. I found her stupid and apathetic throughout a lot of the book, so it was hard to really connect with her, despite the methods the author uses, which I discussed above. There also is something to do with the dragon stone, which I won't ruin, but I figured it out almost instantly, and she doesn't bother to ask about it, again, until 20 pages from the end, so that was annoying too. Also, I've never read a book that takes place in BC China, so I wish the author would have described things a little more. It was a little to much from the characters mindset, and if it was something common to her, it wouldn't be described, even if it was something foreign to the reader.
There is a sequel, which I've read reviews that say it's better than this one. I could believe that, since she knows what's going on in the second book so I wouldn't find her as annoying. So, I think I'll check it out.
Suddenly, a dragon hunter comes, and is going to kill the remaining dragon for it's organs, so she helps it escape, but it will only leave if she goes with it. She goes with it, but only wants to go back to where she was, because even though her life has not been happy, it is the only one she knows. This becomes impossible, though, when she discovers that the dragon hunter is hunting for not only for the dragon, but also for HER, and that the whole country believes that she has stolen this dragon, and killed the other.
Even though she is not entirely fond of the dragon, she decides to accompany it on it's journey to the Ocean, and to do as the dragon tells her, and protect its stone. The dragon finds the stone even more important than its own health for some reason.
Well, there were good parts and bad parts to this story.
The good parts were that the dragon teaches her to count, which she has never learned, by saying, for example, 20 tens and 2 for 22, so throughout the book counting is done that way. This helps the reader feel more connected with her, in a way. I thought it was an interesting device. There is also a lot of adventure that happens, and the main character grows and changes a lot throughout the book, which is fun to read.
The bad parts are that there are a lot of boring downtimes between the adventurous parts, and they really drag. Also, the main character just goes along with the dragon, and takes a long time to warm up to him, even though he is very nice to her. She also seems to not care about what he is doing that much, which is dumb because she is going along with him, and when she finally DOES ask, about 20 pages from the end, she discovers it directly affects the rest of her life. I found her stupid and apathetic throughout a lot of the book, so it was hard to really connect with her, despite the methods the author uses, which I discussed above. There also is something to do with the dragon stone, which I won't ruin, but I figured it out almost instantly, and she doesn't bother to ask about it, again, until 20 pages from the end, so that was annoying too. Also, I've never read a book that takes place in BC China, so I wish the author would have described things a little more. It was a little to much from the characters mindset, and if it was something common to her, it wouldn't be described, even if it was something foreign to the reader.
There is a sequel, which I've read reviews that say it's better than this one. I could believe that, since she knows what's going on in the second book so I wouldn't find her as annoying. So, I think I'll check it out.
February 12, 2020
Güzel kitaptı, hatta 4,5 tan 5 bile verilebilir yani(5 değil ama iyi yani beklediğimden çok daha iyiydi)🤔3-4.sınıf çocuğundan benim gibi 38 yaşa kadar herkes okuyabilir...yemek adları bizim kültürümüze coook uzak ama bu isimler çocuklara eğlenceli bile gelebilir🤢
June 3, 2016
Çok büyük bir zevkle okudum. Ve uzakdoğu mitlerine hayran kalmamı sağladı. Ejderhanın bilgeliği ve bu bilgelik sayesinde küçük köle bir kızın evrilmesi, güçlenmesi beni çok etkiledi. Bir puanı giriş ve gelişme kısımlarının biraz durağın olması nedeniyle kırdım. Yoksa fantastik türü severlere gözüm kapalı önereceğim kitaplar arasındaki yerini aldı.
March 14, 2016
4.95/5
Okurken çok keyif aldım. Yorumu için: http://kronikokur.blogspot.com.tr/201...
Okurken çok keyif aldım. Yorumu için: http://kronikokur.blogspot.com.tr/201...
July 16, 2016
I am so tired of reading this.
I has no idea why but this book doesn't make me feel that it was set originally in China.
It was just plain boring. The dragon is too weak, it's just like people touch iron on it and it weaken. The girl is okay, but nothing much was indicates through her characters. It was not satisfying as I thought. I do like Chinese history, but this book fails me.
I has no idea why but this book doesn't make me feel that it was set originally in China.
It was just plain boring. The dragon is too weak, it's just like people touch iron on it and it weaken. The girl is okay, but nothing much was indicates through her characters. It was not satisfying as I thought. I do like Chinese history, but this book fails me.
May 15, 2016
PRE UNI MEMORIES
This book is actually amazing and I've read this so many times! I love the way she writes and the plot is so good!
This book is actually amazing and I've read this so many times! I love the way she writes and the plot is so good!
January 29, 2021
I adored Dragon Keeper as a kid. Part of my lifelong love of dragons, I suppose, so I was very excited to re-read it.
It wasn't quite what I expected upon re-read. It's a much slower and less exciting book than I remember. But that wasn't a bad thing! It just means there's not a great deal of momentum carrying the reader through.
I do very much like that the dragons in Dragon Keeper are so unlike other dragons I've come across in books and movies. Their size, their abilities, their personalities—Wilkinson has crafted a very distinct type of dragon in this series and I like it a whole lot.
The ending of Dragon Keeper is quite unexpected, so I'm excited to continue my re-read of the series, following a different dragon!
It wasn't quite what I expected upon re-read. It's a much slower and less exciting book than I remember. But that wasn't a bad thing! It just means there's not a great deal of momentum carrying the reader through.
I do very much like that the dragons in Dragon Keeper are so unlike other dragons I've come across in books and movies. Their size, their abilities, their personalities—Wilkinson has crafted a very distinct type of dragon in this series and I like it a whole lot.
The ending of Dragon Keeper is quite unexpected, so I'm excited to continue my re-read of the series, following a different dragon!
August 28, 2016
Here are the reason's I loved this book
1. It is about a powerless, nameless person trapped in a completely abject lifestyle as an ignorant, young, female slave. Even in this awful part of her life where she has largely internalised her abjection, the protagonist (so far nameless) is shown to have agency and both the capability and will to be more than she is force to be. But for the time being she accepts all she knows. As the book unfolds, characters largely bully, berate, hunt or betray her but she keeps a sense of herself so intact that she really grows as a character
2. I think her encounter with the young emperor (how do I say this without spoilers) is a metaphor for so much more. It is a metaphor for cosiness, security, romance and for all the YA tropes that it seems like the book is heading toward, but it avoids them. In a sense then the protagonist has to choose between agency/vocation and security/acceptance within the status quo and she is ambivalent about the choice and not entirely free to choose amongst all the pressures. This is I think a common experience for girls/women in many parts of the world. Having to choose between economic/political/social/familial/emotional security and full personhood. Seems easy in theory but it isn't. Throughout the book the girl's (reluctant to name her since she is nameless at the beginning) desire for connection and relationship is complex and therefore believable.
3. The setting in ancient China is stunning and seems to me well researched. It is a completely appropriate setting for a dragon story and has internal consistency (being based on a more-or-less real world). I was cautious about reading a Chinese setting from a white author but I think Wilkinson has steered a course between exoticisation of "other" (apart from a historical setting always being to some degree exotic) and whitewashing, so that her characters come across as really being Chinese but at the same time as relatable to a non-Chinese reader. There is economic complexity, people of many different classes but not stereotypes and the many types of betrayal and complex (dis)loyalties in the book ring true.
4. The dragon was OK but I LOVED the rat. The rat is an amazingly heroic character. I am sad to think he probably won't be in the sequel.
I see that some reviewers found this book "boring" and I must admit it has a slow and somewhat depressing start but read for the complexity and give it a chance to grow on you. Well it did grow on me anyway!
1. It is about a powerless, nameless person trapped in a completely abject lifestyle as an ignorant, young, female slave. Even in this awful part of her life where she has largely internalised her abjection, the protagonist (so far nameless) is shown to have agency and both the capability and will to be more than she is force to be. But for the time being she accepts all she knows. As the book unfolds, characters largely bully, berate, hunt or betray her but she keeps a sense of herself so intact that she really grows as a character
2. I think her encounter with the young emperor (how do I say this without spoilers) is a metaphor for so much more. It is a metaphor for cosiness, security, romance and for all the YA tropes that it seems like the book is heading toward, but it avoids them. In a sense then the protagonist has to choose between agency/vocation and security/acceptance within the status quo and she is ambivalent about the choice and not entirely free to choose amongst all the pressures. This is I think a common experience for girls/women in many parts of the world. Having to choose between economic/political/social/familial/emotional security and full personhood. Seems easy in theory but it isn't. Throughout the book the girl's (reluctant to name her since she is nameless at the beginning) desire for connection and relationship is complex and therefore believable.
3. The setting in ancient China is stunning and seems to me well researched. It is a completely appropriate setting for a dragon story and has internal consistency (being based on a more-or-less real world). I was cautious about reading a Chinese setting from a white author but I think Wilkinson has steered a course between exoticisation of "other" (apart from a historical setting always being to some degree exotic) and whitewashing, so that her characters come across as really being Chinese but at the same time as relatable to a non-Chinese reader. There is economic complexity, people of many different classes but not stereotypes and the many types of betrayal and complex (dis)loyalties in the book ring true.
4. The dragon was OK but I LOVED the rat. The rat is an amazingly heroic character. I am sad to think he probably won't be in the sequel.
I see that some reviewers found this book "boring" and I must admit it has a slow and somewhat depressing start but read for the complexity and give it a chance to grow on you. Well it did grow on me anyway!
May 14, 2022
yep izzy it holds up !!
July 16, 2021
Carole Wilkinson did a remarkable job of worldbuilding a fictitious ancient China in Dragon Keeper. It was almost by complete accident I stumbled upon this book, possibly one of the greatest accidents in my life, as I was rummaging through the books in my house for ways to pass time during my sleepless nights - completely unaware of how enthralled I would become with following Ping, Hua and Long Danzi's perilous journey to 'Ocean'.
I felt a little late discovering this novel at 19 years of age because when I brought it up with a friend, I was surprised by how well acquainted she was with the series at a young age. Later finding out three other people knew about it as well. I thought Wilkinson did a great job of character building, the friendship development between Ping and Danzi was gradual but heartwarming - with the Dragon revealing Ping's real name as gratitude for saving him, as well as teaching her how to count with quite an interesting method.
I don't know if this next part goes into spoiler territory but I especially loved the way Wilkinson described the agonising pain Ping felt, after certain events transpire, from a third-person perspective - you'll have to read to find out what :))
Amazing children's novel for all ages, bountiful with vivid imagery that inspires me to illustrate. Highly recommend!!
I felt a little late discovering this novel at 19 years of age because when I brought it up with a friend, I was surprised by how well acquainted she was with the series at a young age. Later finding out three other people knew about it as well. I thought Wilkinson did a great job of character building, the friendship development between Ping and Danzi was gradual but heartwarming - with the Dragon revealing Ping's real name as gratitude for saving him, as well as teaching her how to count with quite an interesting method.
I don't know if this next part goes into spoiler territory but I especially loved the way Wilkinson described the agonising pain Ping felt, after certain events transpire, from a third-person perspective - you'll have to read to find out what :))
Amazing children's novel for all ages, bountiful with vivid imagery that inspires me to illustrate. Highly recommend!!
October 21, 2022
Seru sebenarnya tapi mungkin karena ini masih buku pertama jadi terasa kurang greget.. Harus segera lanjut ke buku selanjutnya!
December 30, 2009
Akhirnya selesai juga. Awalnya sih rada boring, tapi begitu mulai petualangan Ping dan si naga, cerita mulai mengalir, tema cerita mirip-mirip sama Drachenreiter, dimana naga akan mencari tempat demi kehidupan yang lebih baik. Tapi beda sama Drachenreiter yang cenderung lebih ramai, Dragon Keeper lebih sepi, tokoh utama hanya Ping si gadis budak, lalu Danzi si naga tua dan Hua si tikus yang selalu bersembunyi di baju Ping.
Yang menarik dari Dragon Keeper ini adalah setiap ada konflik atau masalah yang menghadang perjalanan Ping & Danzi, mereka benar-benar mengatasinya sendiri, ngga seperti kebanyakan cerita petualangan yang tiba-tiba suka muncul tokoh penolong dan tau-tau masalah beres, Dragon Keeper mengajarkan untuk berpegang pada kemampuan diri sendiri.
Untuk terjemahan, cukup baik dan cerita mengalir dengan enak, gaya bahasa ringan, makanya saya masukkan sebagai buku fantasy anak-anak.
Yang membuat saya kurang puas bacanya adalah, cerita yang terlalu linear, padahal dengan setting di era China kuno, novel fantasy ini sangat berpotensi menggali mitologi lain daripada hanya sekedar petualangan naga itu sendiri.
Yang menarik dari Dragon Keeper ini adalah setiap ada konflik atau masalah yang menghadang perjalanan Ping & Danzi, mereka benar-benar mengatasinya sendiri, ngga seperti kebanyakan cerita petualangan yang tiba-tiba suka muncul tokoh penolong dan tau-tau masalah beres, Dragon Keeper mengajarkan untuk berpegang pada kemampuan diri sendiri.
Untuk terjemahan, cukup baik dan cerita mengalir dengan enak, gaya bahasa ringan, makanya saya masukkan sebagai buku fantasy anak-anak.
Yang membuat saya kurang puas bacanya adalah, cerita yang terlalu linear, padahal dengan setting di era China kuno, novel fantasy ini sangat berpotensi menggali mitologi lain daripada hanya sekedar petualangan naga itu sendiri.
February 9, 2024
Ini new author for me. Beli bukunya krn tertarik pd sinopsisnya dan ratingnya diatas 4 ⭐ average nya. Tapi ya bagi gw feel nya biasa saja sih.
MC nya adalah gadis budak yg bernama Ping, tanpa sengaja jd bertualang dgn seekor naga bernama Danzi, dan ditemani seekor tikus bernama Hua (entah knp yg ini malah mengingatkanku pd Cinderella). Petualangan mrk cukup seru, berawal dari Gunung Huangling yg sangat terpencil hingga bertemu kaisar muda yg ingin bersembahyang di Gunung Taishan. Apalagi mrk jg dikejar-kejar pemburu bernama Diao, dijebak oleh tukang perahu yg berkolaborasi dgn necromancer, petualangan mrk seru sih.
Tapi ini entah memang terjemahannya kurang Ok atau memang saya lagi kurang in the mood. Karakter Ping tipikal MC fantasy bestseller, gak jelas drmn dia mempelajari, tau-tau bisa "kungfu" aja. Determinasinya sih saya hargai, begitu pula solidaritasnya kpd Danzi dan Hua.
Oya, background nya menarik sih, dgn setting pd Dinasti Han saat Kaisar Liu Che (aku belum googling, tapi kemungkinan ini Kaisar Han Wudi). Ada yg melenceng dr sejarah asli jg sih. Dimana busana Kaisar itu hitam dari zaman Dinasti Qin hingga baru saat Dinasti Song berubah mjd warna kuning. Jadi zaman Dinasti Han itu kaisar²nya masih menggunakan busana hitam bordir naga semua ya. But overall, buku ini ringan dan enak dibaca. Naga-nya walaupun gak hebat amat tapi cenderung manusiawi dgn segala kekurangannya.
MC nya adalah gadis budak yg bernama Ping, tanpa sengaja jd bertualang dgn seekor naga bernama Danzi, dan ditemani seekor tikus bernama Hua (entah knp yg ini malah mengingatkanku pd Cinderella). Petualangan mrk cukup seru, berawal dari Gunung Huangling yg sangat terpencil hingga bertemu kaisar muda yg ingin bersembahyang di Gunung Taishan. Apalagi mrk jg dikejar-kejar pemburu bernama Diao, dijebak oleh tukang perahu yg berkolaborasi dgn necromancer, petualangan mrk seru sih.
Tapi ini entah memang terjemahannya kurang Ok atau memang saya lagi kurang in the mood. Karakter Ping tipikal MC fantasy bestseller, gak jelas drmn dia mempelajari, tau-tau bisa "kungfu" aja. Determinasinya sih saya hargai, begitu pula solidaritasnya kpd Danzi dan Hua.
Oya, background nya menarik sih, dgn setting pd Dinasti Han saat Kaisar Liu Che (aku belum googling, tapi kemungkinan ini Kaisar Han Wudi). Ada yg melenceng dr sejarah asli jg sih. Dimana busana Kaisar itu hitam dari zaman Dinasti Qin hingga baru saat Dinasti Song berubah mjd warna kuning. Jadi zaman Dinasti Han itu kaisar²nya masih menggunakan busana hitam bordir naga semua ya. But overall, buku ini ringan dan enak dibaca. Naga-nya walaupun gak hebat amat tapi cenderung manusiawi dgn segala kekurangannya.
April 3, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book. The lore was interesting and I liked how we learned along side Ping.
However it wasn't anything special to me. Some things were a bit obvious when you thought about them (even the big plot twist at the end).
It wasn't a book I was eager to keep reading every time I saw it. But when i picked it up and started, more often than not I read until i had something else to do.
Some moments felt a bit dull and slow, but those where a lot of the time followd by a bit of action or some interesting information.
I myself would not have read the book if it hadn't been a gift waiting in my book case. But I am glad I did.
However it wasn't anything special to me. Some things were a bit obvious when you thought about them (even the big plot twist at the end).
It wasn't a book I was eager to keep reading every time I saw it. But when i picked it up and started, more often than not I read until i had something else to do.
Some moments felt a bit dull and slow, but those where a lot of the time followd by a bit of action or some interesting information.
I myself would not have read the book if it hadn't been a gift waiting in my book case. But I am glad I did.
January 29, 2022
This book literally called to me from the shelves of the library. How could I ignore it? I’m glad I didn’t.
Ping is a great protagonist. She’s kind even though few people have ever been kind to her, she’s easily relatable, and her awe and excitement about seeing new places is contagious. It was lovely to see Ping finally realize that she is not a slave anymore and deserves to be treated better. While it was sad that Ping’s only friend in her life until she met the dragon was a rat, Hua is the best. He was definitely my favourite character.
I really sympathized with the dragon Lung Danzi (Dan-za). He's very old to be taking on a long journey like this and his age really shows. I worried about him as much as Ping did. He was usually quite patient with all of Ping’s questions about the world and how it works, and ended up becoming a good friend to her.
I think Carole Wilkinson did a great job reflecting Ping’s youth and naivety in her writing. She must have had to do a lot of research on Ancient China for this book. I really appreciated the glossary of Chinese terms and mystical animals, and the pronunciation guide for the names of characters and places Lung Danza, Hua and Ping travel through. I love it when authors do this!
I was caught completely off guard by the pickling event that happened at the beginning of the book. It was horrifying. It made me feel very sick, so… trigger warning for anyone who doesn’t like hearing about animals being harvested and pickled. This occurs in Chapter 2 and is referenced in Chapter 3 but after that I don't think you have to worry.
Ping is a great protagonist. She’s kind even though few people have ever been kind to her, she’s easily relatable, and her awe and excitement about seeing new places is contagious. It was lovely to see Ping finally realize that she is not a slave anymore and deserves to be treated better. While it was sad that Ping’s only friend in her life until she met the dragon was a rat, Hua is the best. He was definitely my favourite character.
I really sympathized with the dragon Lung Danzi (Dan-za). He's very old to be taking on a long journey like this and his age really shows. I worried about him as much as Ping did. He was usually quite patient with all of Ping’s questions about the world and how it works, and ended up becoming a good friend to her.
I think Carole Wilkinson did a great job reflecting Ping’s youth and naivety in her writing. She must have had to do a lot of research on Ancient China for this book. I really appreciated the glossary of Chinese terms and mystical animals, and the pronunciation guide for the names of characters and places Lung Danza, Hua and Ping travel through. I love it when authors do this!
I was caught completely off guard by the pickling event that happened at the beginning of the book. It was horrifying. It made me feel very sick, so… trigger warning for anyone who doesn’t like hearing about animals being harvested and pickled. This occurs in Chapter 2 and is referenced in Chapter 3 but after that I don't think you have to worry.
October 7, 2019
1001 Children’s Book You Must Read
Ping accompanies the dragon to Ocean, carrying the precious dragonstone, and having many adventures along the way. The dragon is wise and speaks mystically; Ping is just learning about her own abilities in life. Dragonkeeper is a fun series for anyone who loves stories of danger and intrigue.
Ping accompanies the dragon to Ocean, carrying the precious dragonstone, and having many adventures along the way. The dragon is wise and speaks mystically; Ping is just learning about her own abilities in life. Dragonkeeper is a fun series for anyone who loves stories of danger and intrigue.
May 26, 2022
I’m crying like a baby, this book is as good as I remember it <3
July 8, 2024
Para ser un libro de literatura juvenil tiene muchos momentos de alta tensión, se siente como el recorrido de los protagonistas lo ponen al borde de lo que conocían y los obliga a crecer juntos... Se rescata mucho la amistad y la verdad tuvo muchos giros inesperados para mí. Me gustó mucho y me saco risas y lágrimas, lista para la continuación de la saga!
February 4, 2021
It's three stars because of the Emperor
April 22, 2012
Reading Dragon Keeper, I was automatically caught up in the spirit of the time period it is set in. But it wasn’t just the Chinese culture that struck me as true and genuine, it was also the Dragon culture, which was well thought out and wonderfully blended into the story. While reading I realized just how connected the Chinese culture was with the Dragons. It is almost a case of the chicken and the egg; did the use of gongs and chimes attract dragons to the humans or did the humans seek a way to replicate what they heard come from these majestic creatures? Who knew of qi first? Who first knew of herbs and healing? None of these things are brought up so obviously in the book, but as someone who thinks highly of the idea of the dragons having shared knowledge with humans and having lived among peoples of the past and taught them, these things easily crossed my mind as I was reading.
The story is well thought out from its humble beginning to the ending that isn’t as much of an ending as it is a continuation of life. Our lives aren’t split up into chapters and our memorable moments in time don’t necessarily have sharp, clean endings. A person may lose their job but the story doesn’t stop there. Will they find another one? Will they find themselves in the same line of work as before or has that person learned a lesson that has pointed them on a different path? What will the new job bring? So many books simply end instead of allowing the mind to continue with these questions and I found the end of Dragon Keeper both fitting to the culture of the Dragons and refreshing in it’s final non-resolution. “Who knows how things will end? Perhaps there is no end.”
Dragon Keeper is not only a well planned story, but it is well told. The plot will keep your attention, but it is the attention to details that makes you thirst for even more. I admit to knowing little of Chinese history, but the book seemed well settled in its time period and I found nothing to jostle my mind from the story in that regard. Chinese words and concepts are easily sewn into the story, teaching readers the powers of qi, the mathematics of counting, the geography of an area and its distances or types of money, all without jarring you away from the tale being told. It all comes naturally, even without the dictionary and pronunciation guides at the back, because as Danzai teaches Ping about life beyond slavery, you realize that you heave learned as well.
In fact, the entire story is not just Ping’s journey to learn about herself and her country, it is the story of the reader’s journey as well. While holding the book, you travel the countryside with a girl and a Dragon, share their joys and sorrows, participate in their adventures and reach the ocean with them as they begin new parts of their lives.
If you are a fan of the Neverending Story or DragonHeart, you will probably find yourself as desperate for the rest of the series as I have become. I would also highly recommend this book to anyone who has pet rats, as I found great joy in reading about Ping’s rat, the most honorable Hua.
The story is well thought out from its humble beginning to the ending that isn’t as much of an ending as it is a continuation of life. Our lives aren’t split up into chapters and our memorable moments in time don’t necessarily have sharp, clean endings. A person may lose their job but the story doesn’t stop there. Will they find another one? Will they find themselves in the same line of work as before or has that person learned a lesson that has pointed them on a different path? What will the new job bring? So many books simply end instead of allowing the mind to continue with these questions and I found the end of Dragon Keeper both fitting to the culture of the Dragons and refreshing in it’s final non-resolution. “Who knows how things will end? Perhaps there is no end.”
Dragon Keeper is not only a well planned story, but it is well told. The plot will keep your attention, but it is the attention to details that makes you thirst for even more. I admit to knowing little of Chinese history, but the book seemed well settled in its time period and I found nothing to jostle my mind from the story in that regard. Chinese words and concepts are easily sewn into the story, teaching readers the powers of qi, the mathematics of counting, the geography of an area and its distances or types of money, all without jarring you away from the tale being told. It all comes naturally, even without the dictionary and pronunciation guides at the back, because as Danzai teaches Ping about life beyond slavery, you realize that you heave learned as well.
In fact, the entire story is not just Ping’s journey to learn about herself and her country, it is the story of the reader’s journey as well. While holding the book, you travel the countryside with a girl and a Dragon, share their joys and sorrows, participate in their adventures and reach the ocean with them as they begin new parts of their lives.
If you are a fan of the Neverending Story or DragonHeart, you will probably find yourself as desperate for the rest of the series as I have become. I would also highly recommend this book to anyone who has pet rats, as I found great joy in reading about Ping’s rat, the most honorable Hua.
January 18, 2012
This is a really nice book - in the beginning.
The idea of everything is amazingly old, and yet so fresh. The way the author portrays things isn't so special, and yet you really do end up feeling connected to the characters - sometimes.
I guessed a lot of the plots pretty much before they'd started. I guess after a month or so of reading the pretty much unpredictable (for me, anyways) HP series I am ready for a lot of things. I guessed that even when Ping found it in the dragon pit.
I felt personally that the end was unsatisfying, simply because I'd guessed everything before it happened. The things I hadn't guessed seemed to have been made up on the spot and difficult to comprehend, and though the book ended as if to say "That part's over, now for the next", I didn't really feel as though many loose ends had been tied up. As I was reading I was simply stacking up little mysteries, such as the Emporer biting his fingernails being mentioned more than once. Unless I just missed the cause of this in a moment of haste, or failed to read between the lines when the reason was indicated, I couldn't figure out why this was so. As for a lot of the other little things in the book, I thought the same.
But through and through the book, reading it until the last few pages, I really thought this was a nice, heart-warming tale. Gruesome in some parts, and some things unexpected apart from the author's want to make everything predictable due to Ping's abilities, I loved it. I love reading about different people's take on dragons especially, but unicorns, pegasus, pheonixes etc. and this Chinese Dragon Keeper take on it all was an interesting and enjoyable read.
Overall I recommend this, for the beginning and middle. I don't doubt the next book will be great as well, and I can't wait to read it!
The idea of everything is amazingly old, and yet so fresh. The way the author portrays things isn't so special, and yet you really do end up feeling connected to the characters - sometimes.
I guessed a lot of the plots pretty much before they'd started. I guess after a month or so of reading the pretty much unpredictable (for me, anyways) HP series I am ready for a lot of things. I guessed that even when Ping found it in the dragon pit.
I felt personally that the end was unsatisfying, simply because I'd guessed everything before it happened. The things I hadn't guessed seemed to have been made up on the spot and difficult to comprehend, and though the book ended as if to say "That part's over, now for the next", I didn't really feel as though many loose ends had been tied up. As I was reading I was simply stacking up little mysteries, such as the Emporer biting his fingernails being mentioned more than once. Unless I just missed the cause of this in a moment of haste, or failed to read between the lines when the reason was indicated, I couldn't figure out why this was so. As for a lot of the other little things in the book, I thought the same.
But through and through the book, reading it until the last few pages, I really thought this was a nice, heart-warming tale. Gruesome in some parts, and some things unexpected apart from the author's want to make everything predictable due to Ping's abilities, I loved it. I love reading about different people's take on dragons especially, but unicorns, pegasus, pheonixes etc. and this Chinese Dragon Keeper take on it all was an interesting and enjoyable read.
Overall I recommend this, for the beginning and middle. I don't doubt the next book will be great as well, and I can't wait to read it!
September 5, 2017
Petualangan Ping, seorang gadis budak bersama Danzi seekor naga dan Hua, tikus teman Ping yang selalu dibawa kemana pun Ping pergi. Hua yang selalu bersenbunyi dilengan baju Ping.
Ping adalah seorang gadis kecil yang menjadi budak pada salah satu istana Kaisar Cina. Istana dimana Ping berada adalah istana yang jarang dikunjungi oleh Kaisar. Ping harus bekerja pada seorang laki-laki yang bertugas menjaga naga milik kaisar. Seorang lelaki kasar dan pemalas. Alih-alih merawat naga, selain mengurus semua keperluannya, lelaki itu memaksa Ping melakukan tugasnya mengurus naga kerajaan. Bukan hanya itu, lelaki penjaga itu malah dengan leluasa membunuh dan menjual naga-naga milik kerajaan karena Kaisar tidak lagi mempedulikan mereka.
Hingga satu saat, ketika Danzi sebagai naga terakhir akan dijual kepada pemburu naga. Ping menyelamatkan naga itu dan melarikan diri bersamanya. Ping bersama Danzi dan Hua harus berjuang untuk menyelamatkan batu naga yang selalu dijaga dengan hati-hati oleh Danzi.
Ping adalah seorang budak yang tidak mengetahui namanya sendiri, tidak mengetahui asal usul keluarganya, tiba-tiba ditunjuk sebagai penjaga naga. Dari seorang budak yang tidak memiliki keinginan apa-apa selain mengabdi, Ping harus menghadapi pemburu naga, berkelahi dan yang lebih lagi merubah dirinya menjadi orang yang memiliki tujuan.
Suka dengan cara penulis menyelipkan hal-hal lucu bahkan pada saat-saat genting.
Ping adalah seorang gadis kecil yang menjadi budak pada salah satu istana Kaisar Cina. Istana dimana Ping berada adalah istana yang jarang dikunjungi oleh Kaisar. Ping harus bekerja pada seorang laki-laki yang bertugas menjaga naga milik kaisar. Seorang lelaki kasar dan pemalas. Alih-alih merawat naga, selain mengurus semua keperluannya, lelaki itu memaksa Ping melakukan tugasnya mengurus naga kerajaan. Bukan hanya itu, lelaki penjaga itu malah dengan leluasa membunuh dan menjual naga-naga milik kerajaan karena Kaisar tidak lagi mempedulikan mereka.
Hingga satu saat, ketika Danzi sebagai naga terakhir akan dijual kepada pemburu naga. Ping menyelamatkan naga itu dan melarikan diri bersamanya. Ping bersama Danzi dan Hua harus berjuang untuk menyelamatkan batu naga yang selalu dijaga dengan hati-hati oleh Danzi.
Ping adalah seorang budak yang tidak mengetahui namanya sendiri, tidak mengetahui asal usul keluarganya, tiba-tiba ditunjuk sebagai penjaga naga. Dari seorang budak yang tidak memiliki keinginan apa-apa selain mengabdi, Ping harus menghadapi pemburu naga, berkelahi dan yang lebih lagi merubah dirinya menjadi orang yang memiliki tujuan.
Suka dengan cara penulis menyelipkan hal-hal lucu bahkan pada saat-saat genting.
November 10, 2011
A young servant girl named Ping felt like she had no future or purpose in life, so she worked as a servant.Ping knew the last dragon was going to be killed but some how, she felt as if she had a reason to protect this dragon and its precious purple stone.Ping helps this dragon to escape and they go on to a adventure to some type off dragon island.
I didn't truly like how Ping and her dragon got to find his confidence towards Ping later on in this book, but I did like it when they really just worked together and compromised all of their thoughts and plans through. Also, I love the way the book has so much action and stalking during the book.
Do you as a reader ever think that they might have new company along the series? Or that Ping and her dragon may ever just give up on their journey and wait for the guards to just, kill them?
I recommend this book to anyone who LOVES fantasy/action/mystery.And to all who love dragons!
I didn't truly like how Ping and her dragon got to find his confidence towards Ping later on in this book, but I did like it when they really just worked together and compromised all of their thoughts and plans through. Also, I love the way the book has so much action and stalking during the book.
Do you as a reader ever think that they might have new company along the series? Or that Ping and her dragon may ever just give up on their journey and wait for the guards to just, kill them?
I recommend this book to anyone who LOVES fantasy/action/mystery.And to all who love dragons!
November 9, 2014
An easy to read fantasy adventure set in Ancient China. Though more descriptive than most middle grade novels, the story is engrossing and especially enjoyable for animal lovers (at least those tolerant of fantasy animals such as dragons).
The unassuming heroine discovers talents and abilities she didn’t know she had, realising that they can help her to fulfil her calling to be a dragon keeper. The dragon mentors her as she faces wizards and rulers who are determined to hunt both her and the dragon down.
Mild danger scenes involving bad characters (including one necromancer of whom little is said other than the dragon’s warning to stay clear of him) and a mild romance shouldn’t prevent the book being suitable for young readers. JW
The unassuming heroine discovers talents and abilities she didn’t know she had, realising that they can help her to fulfil her calling to be a dragon keeper. The dragon mentors her as she faces wizards and rulers who are determined to hunt both her and the dragon down.
Mild danger scenes involving bad characters (including one necromancer of whom little is said other than the dragon’s warning to stay clear of him) and a mild romance shouldn’t prevent the book being suitable for young readers. JW
April 28, 2016
I've read this book more times over than any other book I've ever read. I've literally read it 16 times over the course of the past eight years. It's that good.
In short, this is a coming of age story with a dash of self-discovery, rife with beautiful descriptions and captivating storylines. The characters interact believably and are relatable in surprising ways. Even after reading it over and over, this is a book that tugs on my heartstrings and can still move me to tears in the end. I love this book.
In short, this is a coming of age story with a dash of self-discovery, rife with beautiful descriptions and captivating storylines. The characters interact believably and are relatable in surprising ways. Even after reading it over and over, this is a book that tugs on my heartstrings and can still move me to tears in the end. I love this book.
July 18, 2018
My daughter was gifted this for her 8th Birthday and I’ve been reading it out loud to her. She read the last 3 chapters all by herself and loved the story so much that we’ve ordered the second in the series! Wonderful story with so many twists, turns and drama. A great paced story from beginning to end!
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