3 Minute Review: Here, There Be Dragons

Here, There Be Dragons, by James A. Owen, is an exciting read for all Lewis and Tolkien fans alike.

“You have no choice, I’m afraid,” said Bert. “They’re coming for John and me, so we must leave–but if they come to find we’ve gone, you would fare the worse for it.”

“Coming for me?” said John. “Why?”

 

Synopsis of Here, There Be Dragons

John, Jack, and Charles are three scholars who meet for the first time at the scene of a strange murder. Suddenly, their paths become intertwined with a different world. Not a new world, but an old world. A world full of shadow and light, secrets and stories. They suddenly become the Caretakers of a very important book, the Imaginarium Geographica, an atlas full of all of the lands that have ever existed in myths, fables, legends, and fairy tales. They have to protect the atlas from the dreaded Winter King and his army of Shadow Born.

Review

Here, There Be Dragons, by James A. Owen, is a must-read for all fantasy lovers. The story is intriguing and Owen has woven in many exciting Easter eggs from other myths and fables. The characters have good development and the ending is satisfactory. There is some language that the Englishmen use as swear words. To find an example of this, check out page 129. And while there are a few battle scenes, there is no gore. I would suggest that this book is for teenagers and older. However, it was a fascinating read, and fans of Narnia and Lord of The Rings will naturally love this story as well.

Violence

At the beginning, there is a murder scene. It was not too detailed or gory and could be skipped over by sensitive readers. There are a few battle/fighting scenes, but there isn’t any gore.

Language

There is some colorful language used by the Englishmen, such as “bloody hell.”

Relationship/Morality

Two of the characters like each other, but it is not morally concerning. 

Magic or Spiritual Realms

This is a fantasy novel that is a mishmash between many different fairy tales and legends, so there is magic. There is also the “Shadow Born”, which are people turned into evil shadows.

Intense Scenes

The most intense scene is when the heroes come upon the Shadow Born.

Positives Messages

Never stop hoping and always do your best to make this world a better place.

 

• Ages 4-6: Not recommended
• Ages 7-8: Not recommended
• Ages 9-10: Not recommended
• Ages 11-12: Not recommended, but up to parents to decide. 
• Ages 13-15: Recommended
• Ages 16-18: Recommended

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