Day two of The Dragon of Trelian book tour is underway.
I have an apology to make. I’ve not been able to concentrate on writing my review of the book and I didn’t get my interview questions in to the author. I have a good excuse: My father is dying. I’m his caregiver and so I’m busy with care-giving, as we wait with him through these final couple of weeks.
But there has been a benefit to my lack of preparation. While I always read all the interviews and reviews, this time I’m reading them, looking for something to interact with. Looking for blog post fodder.
And here is what I’ve noticed.
A few of the bloggers have said it took them several chapters to get into the book. One blogger gave up on the book after four chapters.
I find this interesting because I didn’t think The Dragon of Trelian started slowly. And I’m usually the one complaining about sloooowwww starts in books. It’s one of my major complaints when I have complaints. And I can almost always attribute my lack of interest to a lack of goals in the characters.
This is not a problem with The Dragon of Trelian. Read my review to find out what I thought of the start of the book.
I did not thing that this book started slowly, either. I thought the writing was a significant step above most fantasy books dealing with dragons (Eragon was one annoying read to me!). In many places, it seemed to read like I was watching a film.
I’m so sorry to hear about your father, Sally, and I pray you have strength and encouragement during this difficult time.
What an outstanding review. :high5:
I didn’t think the book started slowly, either, but I didn’t have the sense that things mattered greatly.
You’re probably right about the theme, too. I just didn’t have a sense of it. Meg had her family, her dragon, her romantic interest, and at one point even felt like she had these two separate lives. So in the end, when it does turn out the two, and then the three, use their combined power, it didn’t seem like an overarching story theme.
An enjoyable story, though. I’m glad I read it.
And yes, I’m also praying for you and your family.
Becky
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Maybe the friendship theme wasn’t as apparent when you looked at Meg. I think the friendship aspect of the book for Meg was in her connection to the dragon. She was afraid of letting that friend get too close.
The friendship theme for Calen was the opposite. He hungered for a friend from the beginning. He had no friends. He was stuck with grumpy, old Serek. So from the first chapter, he wanted to believe Meg would be his friend and he was willing to risk punishment to hang with her.
So we knew right away that this was a book about friendship. And in the end, the friendship of the three proved to be invaluable.
Oh, and thanks for the kind words about the review and even more, thanks for the prayers.