July 22, 2013
Stewart and Riddell (the Edge Chronicles) launch the Wyrmeweald trilogy with this intriguing take on dragons, set in a fantasy world where so-called wyrmes have value, but hunting them is a deadly proposition. Seventeen-year-old Micah ventures into the wyrmeweald, determined to bring back enough wealth to set himself up as a lord and woo the noblewoman he loves. Instead, he forms a tentative partnership with Eli Halfwinter, a hermit who shows him how to survive in the wilderness, and (later) Thrace, an enigmatic and dangerous young woman who has bonded with a mighty whitewyrme. Romance and adventure go hand in hand as the members of this fragile team overcome their differences to protect the wyrmeweald against those who would despoil it. Originally published in the U.K., the story is fast-paced, full of gorgeous imagery and haunting moments, and enhanced by thin vertical panels of intricate art that bring the scenes and creatures to life. It’s a fresh angle on an old favorite, with plenty of crossover appeal. Books two and three, Bloodhoney and The Bone Trail, are available simultaneously in paperback and digital formats. Ages: 13–up.
July 1, 2013
Gr 9 Up-The creators of "The Edge Chronicles" (Random) introduce an exciting new world full of dinosaurlike creatures called wyrmes. Wyrmeweald is a harsh and unforgiving place, particularly to those who travel there seeking their fortune through gemstones, wyrme ivory, or anything else of value that can be carried out. Micah, a poor 17-year-old from the plains, travels to the rocky high country in search of his own "returner's wealth." While he is hunting for a wyve (a wyrme egg), he is gravely injured by its protector, the beautiful but deadly Thrace. As wyrmekin, she is powerfully bonded with the great whitewyrm Aseel, whom she rides and fights alongside as wyrmes are cruelly hunted and harvested for their parts. Fortunately, Micah is found by Eli, a tough inhabitant of the region who becomes his travel partner and mentor. The young men follow a murderous band only to find a wounded and unconscious Thrace. As the group joins together set on revenge, Micah and Thrace are drawn to each other emotionally and physically despite their differences. Vivid details, highly descriptive short chapters told from a variety of interesting characters, and black-and-white sketches sprinkled throughout help bring to life a thorough picture of the brutality and desolateness of Wyrmeweald. The first book in what's sure to be a popular trilogy ends with the humans securing their winter den as the cruel fullwinter is approaching. Violence and adult themes make Returner's Wealth most appropriate for mature readers.-Sherry J. Mills, Hazelwood East High School, St. Louis, MO
Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
A young wanderer enters the Wyrmeweald--a mountainous land of sudden death, untold riches, and dragons, dragons, dragons--in this grim trilogy opener. Having encountered three corpses on the trail and receiving a near-fatal wound himself, Micah falls in with Eli, a gruff mountaineer who fills him in on the increasingly vicious struggle between outside exploiters, or "wyrmekith," and the "wyrmekin" who have learned to live closely with the indigenous dragons. Joined by Thrace, a lovely if feral dragon-rider, the protagonists pursue a gang of murderous egg thieves, tangle bloodily with a community of "gutsmen" and encounter a cannibal wyrmekin. The authors give all of the kith cast members Old Testament names and use ornate language ("Already, sharp-eyed, keen-nosed carrionwyrmes with cropscythe claws and teeth like hackdaggers were circling overhead"), presumably for atmosphere. They also positively festoon their setting and tale with dragons of many sorts and sizes: lakewyrmes, fire-breathing whitewyrmes, mistwyrmes, fisherwyrmes, tatterwyrmes, stormwyrmes, lanternwyrmes, squabwyrmes and more. A few rate full-page portraits at the end; narrow strip illustrations at the chapter heads offer smaller, partial views of figures, creatures and landscapes. Red meat for rabid dragon lovers, but younger fans of the authors' Edge Chronicles may be discomfited by the gruesome bits and steamy clinches. (Fantasy. 12-16) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
July 15, 2013
A young wanderer enters the Wyrmeweald--a mountainous land of sudden death, untold riches, and dragons, dragons, dragons--in this grim trilogy opener. Having encountered three corpses on the trail and receiving a near-fatal wound himself, Micah falls in with Eli, a gruff mountaineer who fills him in on the increasingly vicious struggle between outside exploiters, or "wyrmekith," and the "wyrmekin" who have learned to live closely with the indigenous dragons. Joined by Thrace, a lovely if feral dragon-rider, the protagonists pursue a gang of murderous egg thieves, tangle bloodily with a community of "gutsmen" and encounter a cannibal wyrmekin. The authors give all of the kith cast members Old Testament names and use ornate language ("Already, sharp-eyed, keen-nosed carrionwyrmes with cropscythe claws and teeth like hackdaggers were circling overhead"), presumably for atmosphere. They also positively festoon their setting and tale with dragons of many sorts and sizes: lakewyrmes, fire-breathing whitewyrmes, mistwyrmes, fisherwyrmes, tatterwyrmes, stormwyrmes, lanternwyrmes, squabwyrmes and more. A few rate full-page portraits at the end; narrow strip illustrations at the chapter heads offer smaller, partial views of figures, creatures and landscapes. Red meat for rabid dragon lovers, but younger fans of the authors' Edge Chronicles may be discomfited by the gruesome bits and steamy clinches. (Fantasy. 12-16)
COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.