Dragon's Keep

May 7, 2007
C
arey (Wenny Has Wings
) has written a romantic fantasy steeped in the Arthurian tradition of knights, dragons and lost kingdoms. After eloping with an outlaw, King Arthur's sister, Evaine, is banished to Wilde Island. Merlin, however, foresees a prophecy regarding the 21st queen in her future lineage: “She shall redeem the name Pendragon. End war with the wave of her hand. And restore the glory of Wilde Island.” Centuries later, Queen Gweneth (the infertile queen number 20) devours an egg stolen from the dragon, Lord Faul, in an attempt to conceive. When she does give birth, her daughter, Rosalind, is born with the “devil's mark”: her left hand bears a claw in place of one finger. Rosalind hides her hands underneath golden gloves and Queen Gweneth repeatedly commits murder to preserve the secret. The lonely princess doubts any man will ever marry her, but when she meets Kye—a young knight who vanquished a female dragon that has plagued Wilde Island—she falls in love. Soon after, Rosalind is captured by Lord Faul (her true father) and becomes nursemaid to his offspring, known as pips. When one of the pips drowns, Lord Faul's tears quench his “inner fire,” killing him and ending Rosalind's capture. She returns to Wilde Island to claim her rightful place as queen, and though she is put on trial for being a witch, Rosalind's “curse” ultimately becomes her triumph. Fantasy lovers will readily empathize with this brave heroine who learns to be true to herself. Ages 12-up.

This is a story of unintended consequences, magic, and honor. It is set in the twelfth century on Wilde Island, off the coast of Britain. With her family having been banished for 20 generations, Rosalind feels the weight of the prophecy that she is meant to restore her family to its rightful position. With the mark of the dragon on her, Rosalind holds her secret close. Bianca Amato's narration accentuates Rosalind's inner strength and maintains her basic sweetness in a manner that rings true despite the harsh challenges she faces. The story is a bit melodramatic at times, but Amato keeps it in check. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine