
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms (The Land of Dragor) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This is the first book of the children’s series <i>The Land of Dragor</i> by Julia Suzuki. Dragor is the land inhabited by dragons, hidden from the rest of the world, away from the evil humans, with the smoke produced by the The Fire Which Must Never Go Out. Dragor is where it is safe. The dragons are forbidden to leave. However, it may not be as perfect as it seems.
The story begins with the birth, or hatching, of a dragon named Yoshiko. Unlike all other dragon births, Yoshiko’s egg was a variety of different colours, which led to speculation as to whether this young dragon was cursed. Other than being a late developer, Yoshiko is physically well and attends school like all the other youngsters where, unfortunately, he experiences bullying from one of the other dragon clans – something the reader may be able to relate to through their own school experiences. Each clan is a different colour, but one day Yoshiko realises he has the ability to change the shade of his scales. Horrified by his discovery, he seeks help from an old, but wise, outcast, who, whilst supporting Yoshiko as he learns to control the colours, helps him discover his destiny.
The initial two thirds of the book felt like a really long introduction with the final third being a hastily written climax. Despite this it was an enjoyable read and would be particularly entertaining for children. Some of the language though may be a little too advance for the younger readers. Despite the introduction/climax issue, the story contains enough information to understand the way the dragon’s small world works and ends by setting the theme of the next installment. It will be exciting to find out what happens next!

Merissa (12838 KP) rated Trelloran Seduction in Books
Dec 17, 2018
However, the very things that make this book quite a dark one to read, also offer the hope of light. Two characters come together, both hurt and traumatised by their pasts. You see them slowly start to trust each other, to understand each other. Now, of course, it's not all love and light. This is a dark book, after all, and betrayal comes when you least expect it and from a direction that although known, you think is a red herring. It's not, and it hurts all the more because of that!
This is very well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow. This part of the story is nicely concluded, whilst leaving you with an opening to the next book. With plenty of action and suspense, this is a brilliant book that certainly kept my attention throughout. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2019

Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated S.F.W. (1994) in Movies
Jan 7, 2020

Miracles of The Holy Quran ( Islam )
Book and Education
App
Fourteen centuries ago, God sent down the Qur'an to mankind as a book of guidance. He called upon...

The Life of Henrietta Anne: Daughter of Charles I
Book
Henrietta Anne Stuart, youngest child of Charles I and Henrietta Maria, was born in June 1644 in the...

Thomas Hardy: The Time-torn Man
Book
Thomas Hardy is the acclaimed biography by bestselling author Claire Tomalin 'An extraordinary...
Toupie Lowther: Her Life - a New Assessment
Book
Toupie Lowther appears as a walk-on character in many biographies of Radclyffe Hall and Una...

Vladimir Jabotinsky's Story of My Life
Brian J. Horowitz and Leonid Katsis
Book
Vladimir Jabotinsky is well remembered as a militant leader and father of the right-wing Revisionist...

We are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope
Laura Bush and George W. Bush Institute
Book
Afghanistan has been described as "the worst nation in the world to be a woman." More than fifty...