Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen
By mrs. kirk - Friday, October 20th, 2006
This young adult fantasy novel is so charming and so ready to be made into yet another loveable series that it did not surprise me in the slightest to find it has already been optioned as a screenplay.
Unlike most of the kiddie-fantasy being published today, Â this is more adult and has adult protagonists varying in age from 18-26; one who is married and has a child and has been to war. Set during the time of World War I, the novel is a page-turner deluxe that has you gasping right up until the final page. I won’t spoil the ending and please I beg you do not read up on the book at Amazon, for they give away one of the best parts of the novel.
Three Oxford scholars come together because of a book called The Imaginarium Geographica, which is essentially an atlas to the lands of magick and high fantasy. Being a caretaker of this tome is no easy task and right away, the three friends have to deal with a murder in London (of the last caretaker) and then being whisked off to the Archipelago of Dreams, which is the land where all fantasy lives (basically another dimension).
Each scholar has his story. Charles is very level-headed but a bit retiring. Jack is young and trying to prove himself plus he has a dark-side. Lastly John, who is the new caretaker, is a man shattered by his experiences as a soldier in World War I and very unsure of his abilities to handle such an extreme situation. The reader will grow side by side through the story as their guide Bert and his daughter lead them through the Archipelago of Dreams on a dragon-ship.
There are a thousand possiblities already in just the creation of the Imaginarium Geographica. It’s quite brilliant really and I cannot wait for the actual tome to be published. Author James A. Owen is also a talented artist and his illustrations that begin each chapter are stunning.
This first story in the “Chronicles” as it is being called is filled with high-level excitement and much familiarity that will be revealed at the end of the book. It is worth every page to get there and just have that final moment of OH. MY. GOD. Just go with it, don’t try to think too hard because you will probably figure it out, which I would have if I had not been so tired while reading it. Ultimately I was glad because rarely do I get a great surprise like this!
Orson Scott Card had the following to say about the book – “Is there anyone who wouldn’t enjoy reading Here, There Be Dragons? If there is such a person, I haven’t met him, and I doubt that I would like him if I did. I am only disappointed that, because this book is so new, I’ll have to wait too long to read the sequels.”
I agree completely. I hope the author can write fast!
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October 21st, 2006 at 3:38 pm
You are EXACTLY the reader my editor had in mind when he acquired the book.
And you are exactly the reader we both hoped would find it, and those to come.
The new books will follow, released every October, like clockwork.
Thank you for the kind words. I’m very pleased you enjoy my work.
Best wishes,
James A. Owen