I received this Finished Copy from Publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Story of Owen by E. K. Johnston Published by Carolrhoda Lab ? on March 1st 2014
Pages: 312
Source: Finished Copy from Publisher
Goodreads
Listen! For I sing of Owen Thorskard: valiant of heart, hopeless at algebra, last in a long line of legendary dragon slayers. Though he had few years and was not built for football, he stood between the town of Trondheim and creatures that threatened its survival. There have always been dragons. As far back as history is told, men and women have fought them, loyally defending their villages. Dragon slaying was a proud tradition. But dragons and humans have one thing in common: an insatiable appetite for fossil fuels. From the moment Henry Ford hired his first dragon slayer, no small town was safe. Dragon slayers flocked to cities, leaving more remote areas unprotected. Such was Trondheim's fate until Owen Thorskard arrived. At sixteen, with dragons advancing and his grades plummeting, Owen faced impossible odds?armed only with a sword, his legacy, and the classmate who agreed to be his bard. Listen! I am Siobhan McQuaid. I alone know the story of Owen, the story that changes everything. Listen!
My Thoughts:
The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim is set in a modern day where dragons exists. All other modern day dragon stories I’ve read cast dragons as misunderstood. Not so The Story of Owen! It’s more like a ballad of olde in it’s style and treatment of dragons.Dragons are a pestilence and dragon hunters, heroes. I found this refreshing (Not that I don’t love the other modern day dragon stories as well!)
One of the first words that comes to mind when I think about this book is complex. The sentence structure and the vocabulary alone warrant this. But it doesn’t stop there! The story is set up in such a way that it keeps the reader on his/her toes. There is a timeline of the present day and current events. The story jumps around on the timeline. There are also historical bits mixed in as well. Add to that the politics and history of a world that is like ours but not and you have a very involved read! I found myself making assumptions about the world based on our world. Inevitably I would be wrong. I love a book that keeps me engaged and guessing throughout.
The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim by E.K. Johnston is one of the most unique books I’ve read in some time. I recommend it to those looking for something a little different!
About the Author:
E.K. Johnston is a forensic archaeologist by training, a book seller and author by trade, and a grammarian by nature.
She spends a great deal of time on the internet because it is less expensive than going to Scotland.
She can probably tell you, to the instant, when she fell in love with any particular song, but don’t ask her, because then it will be stuck in both of your heads.
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