Temple of the Dragonslayer

November 1, 2004
Gr 5-8-In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the "Dragonlance" series, Waggoner offers the first in a new series of adventures in the magical world of Krynn. The action begins with Nearra waking in a forest to find that she has no memory of her life. After narrowly escaping goblins and a dragon, the teen is rescued by a wizard and his guide, who lead her to a nearby town. There she acquires a band of friends determined to help her on her quest to regain her memory. Attempting to recruit a new generation of Dragonlancers, this series has younger characters and shorter volumes to target preteen readers. The rest is standard formula. The regular cast of characters (including a ranger, a woman warrior, and a thief) will be familiar to readers who have visited Krynn before and to youngsters who enjoy "Dungeons and Dragons"-type video games. Most of the creatures will also be familiar to general fantasy readers. However, for those who are new to "Dragonlance," the fast introduction of a creature called a "kender" may be a bit confusing, as will references to events such as "the Cataclysm" and the "War of the Lances." This series will be best received by avid epic-fantasy fans and followers of "Dragonlance" or "Forgotten Realms" (both Wizards of the Coast).-Jenna Miller, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2004
Gr. 3-6. Timed to coordinate with the twentieth anniversary of the Dragonlance novels, this first volume in the Dragonlance: The New Adventures series introduces children to the venerable fantasy environment. The setting of this quick read is a basic sword-and-sorcery world, complete with dragons and goblins. The action is fast paced, and the text is simple. Young Nearra wakes up in a forest clearing with no memory of who she is or how she arrived there. She is told that answers can be found in a distant temple, where healers may be able to bring back her memory. A ranger, a warrior, an elf, and a wizard offer to accompany her, but they may have sinister motives for wanting to be her guides. Fantasy fans will probably find the story a bit thin, but it is a competent starting point for children new to the genre.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)