Dragons of Darkness

Gr 6-9 In this modern-day fable, two boys from different worlds are thrown together in war-torn Nepal. Christopher, a 14-year-old German boy, has come in search of his older brother, who disappeared while on vacation. There he meets Jumar, also 14 and the prince of Nepal, who has escaped from the royal palace in Kathmandu following the brutal slaying of a beloved servant by dissident Maoists. Together the two teens and a communist girl travel the length and breadth of the country on a quest to destroy the dragons that have been stealing color from the land, causing famine, war, and political upheaval. The story is imaginatively told by an author whose obvious affection for Nepal and its people resonates with each sentence. Unfortunately, the novel is not without its flaws. The initial slow pace may not hold the interest of the target audience long enough for readers to get to the more exciting scenes, and lengthy descriptive passages and lyrical language may be more suited to adults than teen fantasy fans."Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.