The Last Dragon Charmer #1: Villain Keeper

by Laurie McKay

Overview

This first book in the Last Dragon Charmer series is packed with adventure and wit, perfect for fans of Soman Chainani's School for Good and Evil series and Chris Colfer's Land of Stories series.

All his life, Prince Caden has dreamed of slaying a dragon. But before he has the chance, he is ripped from his home in the Great Winterlands of Razzon and finds himself in Asheville, North Carolina—a land with no magic and no dragons.

Or so he thinks. The longer Caden spends in Asheville, the more he comes to realize that there is unexpected and dangerous magic in this strange land. There just may be dragons here too. But what if Caden's destiny isn't to slay a dragon, after all?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062308436
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	02/03/2015
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Laurie McKay lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her family and her two dogs. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master's degree in biological oceanography from North Carolina State University. She's taught at the Chesapeake Bay Governor's School for Marine and Environmental Science and in the North Carolina community college system. When she's not dodging students and prepping lab activities, she's sitting at a local coffee shop and daydreaming about all things fantastical.

Editorial Reviews

Kids will delight in Caden’s adventures and struggles.

ALA Booklist

Under the cover of darkness, twelve-year-old Prince Caden, the youngest son of King Axel, begins his dragon-slaying quest, striving to make his father proud and become an Elite Paladin as his seven brothers have already done. However, just when Caden finds his chance to prove himself, he is transported to another world known as Asheville, North Carolina, along with Sir Horace, his stallion, and Brynne, the annoying but beautiful spellcaster he has known forever. Trapped in a foreign land with no dragons and no means of getting home, Caden struggles with defeat, believing he will never fulfill his quest. Not long after arriving in Asheville, the children learn of the mysterious disappearance of a young girl and also come face-to-face with a familiar, evil face that can only mean trouble. Some unknown, but feared, person or creature known as “She” who seems to be behind it all. Will the young prince and his spellcaster sidekick find themselves in the midst of a quest far greater than they could have ever imagined; and if so, will they prove themselves worthy or meet with defeat? Full of humor, mystery, magic, and adventure, this middle reader is sure to be a favorite for elementary children, especially those who enjoy medieval, fantasy stories with a modern day twist. This book is primarily plot driven, which will keep the pages turning for both young and reluctant readers alike. Caden and Brynne are full of spunk, ingenuity, courage, and determination, making them characters sure to captivate and inspire. This first book of the “Last Dragon Charmer” series is sure to charm its readers, while leaving them anticipating the rest of Caden and Brynne’s adventure. Reviewer: Justina Engebretson; Ages 8 to 12.

Children's Literature - Justina Engebretson

2014-11-04
Determined to gain both his father's approval and the title of Elite Paladin, 12-year-old Prince Caden embarks on a quest to slay a dragon—and ends up in a different and very strange universe. Alas, a mysterious spell thwarts his plans almost instantaneously, sending him, his horse and Brynne, a former playmate and budding dark (but not evil) sorceress, to Asheville, North Carolina. The young prince quickly discovers that middle school can be as dangerous as any quest, particularly when the math teacher is an evil tyrant, the lunch ladies are witches, and the placement counselor is a dragon. Caden and Brynne land in foster care, where they make like-minded friends who will, they hope, help them defeat the resident evil and return home. While primarily a lighthearted coming-of-age fantasy, the book offers surprising moments of depth focusing on familial relationships or the lack thereof. Unfortunately, while the plot is entertaining, there are missteps. The characters frequently seem to know more than they should, and the narrative is weighted down by unnecessary back story. Finally, the mystery is revealed too early, robbing the narrative of energy. While perhaps not enough to sink this new series entirely, the cumulative effect does diminish its power. A promising new series gets off to a shaky start; here's hoping subsequent volumes smooth out the ride. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

11/01/2014
Gr 4–6—In the middle of the night, Caden's father, King Axel of Razzon, wakes him and sends him out in the cold to slay a dragon. Caden rides atop his gallant stallion Sir Horace, proud to be on a quest that will make him an elite paladin and respected like his seven older brothers. But things are not as straightforward as they seem. Just as Caden is about to encounter an evil red dragon, he falls through a magic hole and bumps down, along with the young and uncontrollable sorceress Brynne, into current day Ashville, North Carolina. They are confused by this land with no magic and strange rules. Caden finds himself in foster care and attending a school where he begins to see this world is not as it first appeared. His math teacher, Rath Dunn, is a rival of King Axel and seems to have an evil plan to return to the kingdom. The principal is a mighty dragon, who will eat those with whom she is displeased, and the whole school is a place of exile for evildoers of his kingdom. Like a reversed version of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, this fantasy invites readers to look at their own world with an eye to magic. The plot has enough suspense and twists to keep momentum to the end and leaves enough questions to make room for a sequel. A worthy, though not outstanding, new fantasy series.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

School Library Journal