Dragonsdale
by Salamanda Drake
Published by Chicken House / Scholastic Inc.
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Reviewed by Vanessa Lee
Subtitled: Where Dragons and Dreams Take Flight
All her life, Cara has dreamed of riding a dragon. Her father will not allow it, for her mother died in an unfortunate dragon training accident just before Cara was due to start learning how to train and fly the magnificent beasts. Ever since his wife's death, Huw, the Dragonmaster of Dragonsdale, has forbidden his only child from even mounting a dragon.
Instead, Cara works around Dragonsdale. As one of the premier training farms on the island of Bresal, there is much to be done, and Cara cleans out the dragons' stalls and assists the riders with grooming their dragons. All the while, she dreams of being able to fly on one herself. She even has one in mind--Skydancer, a wild Goldenbrow who has been notoriously hard to tame.
As the Island Championships draw closer, Cara becomes more and more envious of the dragon riders, particularly Hortense, the High Lord of Seahaven's daughter. Hortense expects Cara to care for the dragon she rides, but gets the pleasure and honor of riding him herself. The tension between Cara and Hortense escalates as the competition grows closer and cumulates with Hortense convincing her father to purchase Skydancer from Dragonsdale.
Hortense's rough methods do not mesh well with Skydancer's fiery personality and suddenly there is a very real danger that Skydancer's wings will be clipped, grounding him forever. It is up to Cara to find a way to save him--without her father discovering that she is learning to fly.
Fantasy fans will enjoy this book with its rich world and well-developed characters. Cara is a charming heroine and the dragons are absolutely delightful.
Readers will hold their breath as Cara rides Skydancer through the challenging course in the Island Championships and clench their fists at Hortense's antics. They will wish they could scratch a dragon's crest or help weigh a squirming dragonet. And while they do so, they'll absorb some good lessons about caring for others and the right way to treat people.
Armchair Interviews says: This is a promising start to what is sure to be a wonderful series.