Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
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Book Reviews of Dragon Rider
Book Review: A Fantastic Ride
Summary: 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoy reading children's novels, and am constantly amazed at what truly delightful and wondrous tales Cornelia Funke creates. She gained international success with the English publication of "The Thief Lord" and continued to spin her magic with the spellbinding "Inkheart". Having enjoyed these two forays into the mythical world of children, I was looking forward to reading "Dragon Rider" and was not disappointed.
"Dragon Rider" has a more mythical setting, in the fact that it asks the reader to believe that fantastic creatures exist in the same realm as humans. The last of the known dragons on earth are facing eviction from their peaceful valley due to the expansion of humans. Firedrake, one brave dragon, agrees to search for the Rim of Heaven - a magical hiding place of the dragons, that may or may not exist. Along with his brownie friend Sorrel, they pick up a human boy named Ben as they travel the world in their quest. Along the way that meet humans who both help and harm, as well as other fantastic creatures who help and harm. Their journey is impeded through the evil machinations of Nettlebrand, the Golden One. A manmade dragon with impenetrable metal scales, Nettlebrand was designed to destroy all of the silver dragons. With the aide of his frightened servants, Nettlebrand tracks Firedrake, Sorrel and Ben as they make their way towards the Rim of Heaven, so that he may hunt and kill the last of the dragons.
Funke's story is filled with vivid and well-rounded characters. She weaves age-old stories with original plotlines, creating a story that no reader could put down until they know what happens to the heroes. "Dragon Rider" is filled with adventure and humor, a truly delightful story for children, as well as for the child inside every adult.
Book Review: Dragon Rider Review by Yoo
Summary: 5 Stars
I think everyone who likes dragons should read this book. Every books have different facts about dragons like what they eat, how big they are, and other stuff. This book has completely different ideas about dragons about what they eat and dragon fire.
I'll just summarize the story (I forgot most of the names and some stuff).
People were making something in a forest and dragons were hiding because they knew people thought they were dangerous and would kill them. Dragons had to find the Rim of Heaven. It was a place where only dragons could find. A dragon voluteered and a brownie was a half forced to help the dragon. A rat told them visit somewhere and get a map from a rat. They hid in a factory where it was like haunted. They founda boy and the boy helped them. After they got the map, they started their journey and the boy joined them. The brownie didn't know how to read the map and landed near a castle a fake dragon was living in. He liked to eat dragons. Dwarves saw them and one of them told the fake dragon. A creature spied on them. They met some people they could trust and they helped them a lot. Some towns welcomed dragons. The spy liked the boy so he betrayed his master, the fake dragon. The boy learned a lot of stuff about dragon like dragon fire is for heals and makes enchanted creatures back normal. They found the rim of heaven and figured out how to kill the fake dragon. Dragon fires couldn't melt the fake dragon's scales/armor, but with brownie's (magical) spit, it could. The fake dragon liked to polish his armor and made the dwarf polish his armor and the brownie's spit was inside. Read the book to know the ending.
(The boy was chosen one in the story and boy who came back because he loved dragons a lot).
Book Review: Great Journey full of Whimsical Adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit that this is the first Cornelia Funke book I have read. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew the story would intrigue me. I certainly was not disappointed, even though I am an adult.
This is a great read for kids (and for adults who like adventure that isn't too dark). This is a story of a long journey full of great whimsical adventure. Every child in the 9-12 age group should read it. I love how Ms. Funke uses flashbacks and foreshadowing to provide elements along the way that are key to side stories within the story and to the climax of the story.
The only (not necessarily negative) comment I would make about the book is that the translation to English seems a bit rough in some places -- but in a way this kinda helps add to the whimsical nature of the story.
I am also amazed at the length of children's books these days. I remember when a book for 9-12 year-olds was 100 to maybe 200 pages long -- not 423. It seems like J. K. Rowling started something. But this was a page-turner and should keep anyone's interest (especially kids) throughout. I think it is good to see children's books get longer -- it is more challenging (and less insulting) to a child's intelligence, and it allows them to enjoy the adventure of the story (and reading) even longer. Bravo!!
Thanks, Cornelia. Like Professor Greenbloom, I too now BELIEVE in "fabulous animals". Now I need to read some more of Funke's work -- I think Inkheart will be first.
To everybody who is thinking about reading this book -- DO!! You will enjoy it!!
Book Review: Shiv U. - Dragon Rider
Summary: 5 Stars
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
I liked the book Dragon Rider very much for many reasons. Some of which are the nail biting plot, the believable characters, and the ease of reading. The plot took many unexpected twists and turns keeping me at the edge of my seat. I eagerly read until the final battle between Firedrake and Nettlebrand not once being bored or wondering, "Why am I reading this book?" The vividly described characters seemed very real because the receive setbacks just as real as any of our setbacks. I especially liked this book because the ease of reading was incredible. The sentences flowed and fit together like well-designed puzzle pieces. This book had incredible flow from sentence to sentence, page to page, and chapter to chapter.
Although the sentences flowed together well, there were some challenging words. These words seemed quite challenging for younger kids that might read this book. Sometimes the unexpected turns in the story might throw someone off. In addition, the characters always seemed to have lucky at the right moment, but still it was believable. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, but there were some boring parts in the story, but not enough to make me stop reading.
I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys fantasy and adventures. This book would be great for anyone who enjoys a good book or the author Cornelia Funke. This book would be a bad pick for anyone who enjoys reading about reality or sports because this involves neither. This book may or may not fit your interests read it to find out!
Book Review: Fun
Summary: 5 Stars
"Overwhimsical" was a term a previous reviewer used. I definitely agree, but to me it just added to this book's charm. I love overwhimsical. How many modern stories have you read lately that are overwhimsical?
Dragon Rider is just fun. The idea of dragons living off moonlight -- whimsical. As is Twigleg the homunculus (probably my favorite character apart from Professor Greenbloom, who I just loved. How great is it when you actually get the privilege of reading about a grown man who truly believes in "fabulous creatures" and devotes his life to studying them? Not only that, but who actually dares to name his daughter Guenivere! (Actually, just thinking about him and Twigleg, along with the many settings of the book, makes me want to dig the book back out of the box I just packed it in and reread it.)
Funke may have written more gripping novels -- Inkheart comes to mind -- but this is the one I would turn to on a bad day. Though I could never get through The Thief Lord, I have really enjoyed everything else of Funke's work. But Dragon Rider leaves me with the best mental images.
It was a fun book, a whimsical book, a HAPPY book, and that's really all that matters. It was well-written, perhaps not the best of Ms. Funke's books but certainly the most easy to read. Some of the settings, like Egypt and the basilisk's cave and the monastery high in the Himalayas, are destined to stay in your head forever, with pleasant memories of this whimsical -- yes, overwhimsical -- book.
Rating: Very Good