Showing posts with label dragonwatch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dragonwatch. Show all posts

Sunday, April 09, 2023

Legend of the Dragon Slayer: The Origin Story of Dragonwatch

Legend of the Dragon Slayer is a short prequel to the Dragonwatch series. It can safely be read at any time. While it does provide some background to a minor character, it is not critical for understanding the series. The original "dragon slayer" was the son of a cobbler. He was willing to go out and fight enemies that nobody else was willing to battle. Through this willingness to fight he eventually came to marry the princess and inherit the kingdom. 

As with most hero stories, the tales of his bravery were greatly exaggerated over time. He later admits that he himself had started the exaggeration. While his original stories had him luckily defeating the monsters, he actually stumbled across them already defeated, and just ensured they were gone before extracting a talisman. 

As a ruler, he was summoned to fight a pillager that was called dragon. This would be actual combat, so he could not rely on luck. However, he could use the talismen that he procured and would defeat him in a David vs. Goliath contest. This probably contributed to his reputation as a "dragon slayer". It was only later (in a time not covered by the book) that he would actually fight dragons.

The takeaway seems to be that nothing ventured, nothing gained. There were plenty of other legitimate warriors. They could have gone out and gathered the rewards he did. However, none of them were willing to go. Being willing lead him to the initial rewards. However, that was not enough. He would have failed the final battle if he had not used the experience from what he previously accomplished.

Thursday, April 06, 2023

Return of the Dragon Slayers (Dragonwatch) (Dragonwatch, 5)

The conclusion to Dragonwatch brings everything to a conclusion and ties up many of the loose ends. The characters complete many great journeys. While Kendra's journey was month important to Fablehaven, Seth's journey is key to Dragonwatch. He undergoes the great quest and completes the hero's journey. The journey includes many fantasy and religious themes with a twist. Seth must journey to the darkest of dark realms and suffer immensely before he can finally be submerged in the water that heals. An innocent being would serve as the guide to bring him there. An immortal being must willingly end his life to help restore that which was broken. 

Others also have there important roles. Knox becomes a king by wearing the crown. However, the crown also changes him and controls him in a negative way. The various dragon slayers are uncovered. However, the dragons are one step behind, thanks in part to treachery. A satyr loses his life quest when the games are ended, and instead turns to solve other problems - which cause the negative results. Some dark beings choose to finally end their life rather than remain in the perpetual undead state. (Though many accept the healing of being brought together.) Forgiveness plays an important role in helping end curses and bring about a better society.

There is also plenty of adventures, including massive dragon fights. This would make for a great CGI-heavy movie. The dark unicorn does more mischief. There are demons, undead, teleportation, giants and tiny nipsies. There are plenty of adventures to blow through any CGI budget.

The final battle is impossible to put down, while the end finally gets everyone back to our world, with some fantasy creatures choosing mortality with humans. Each character experiences growth in different ways.

Sunday, April 02, 2023

Champion of the Titan Games (Dragonwatch) (Dragonwatch, 4)

The Titan Games are a popular event lead by Humbuggle, a powerful troll. A giant stadium brings people from all over. There they watch gladiators battle. It is all part of of a long scheme of games to allow the victor to take a precious stone which grants immense power. Seth goes there in an attempt to gain his memories back. In the process he runs into separated memories (that he helps cristen as "Reggie"), a satyr professor and many other beings. 

Meanwhile, the dragons have their eyes on world domination. The dark unicorn has taken over the fairy realm. The Giant realm is one of the last sanctuaries they want to take over. This realm also happens to be the realm that hosts the Titan Games. The giants treat the dragons as enslaved beasts of burden. There is plenty of built up dragon resistance to the giants. The giants themselves are also too prideful in their power. They don't think they have to work much to protect themselves. Alas, pride comes before the fall.

Seth's final quest to get his memories back takes some turns. The direct route isn't necessarily the best one. Sometime there need to be sacrifices to achieve the desired goal.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Master of the Phantom Isle: Dragonwatch, Book 3

Seth joins the darkside in this third Dragonwatch book. A "dark unicorn" took him away and has him continue to run errands to support the undead and other dark creatures. Seth has lost his memories and is not sure who is telling the truth. He feels it is bad to have people imprisoned, so helps free the creatures and run other errands for the dark.

Meanwhile Kendra and others are working to free him and save the world. The satyrs continue to provide comic relief as they help out. On their adventures, they explore one of the most elaborate tree-house systems around. They also work on digging out a treasure while defending themselves from sea monsters. (There is a ship that gives somebody the power to control sand. This helps protect them from the enemies as well as bring up the treasure.) Later they use a potion to walk in the water at the bottom of the ocean as if it were land. The adventures continue to get more wild during this middle book.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Wrath of the Dragon King: Dragonwatch, Book 2

The dragons have declared war. They want full control and don't want to be controlled by humans. They are after a special stone that will all them this power. The humans don't want them to have it. They are seeking it also. However, the troll guarding it has other things in mind. Those that do something bad on their own are forever cursed by his game, but those that had something bad happen out of their control are restored. We also get to see many more fantastical creatures, such as talking animals and a living forest. The cousins gain the ability to see the magical creatures, but cause some havoc on their own. A "memory loss" door causes interesting things to happen. Like a typical middle book, it opens more questions than it closes.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Dragonwatch

The Dragonwatch series kicks off where Fablehaven ended. Seth goes on a mission to return the sword, and discovers that he will have a future with Dragons. Back at Fablehaven, the kids are with both sets of grandparents. Things get interesting when their cousins visit. They don't believe in the fairy stuff. However, this eventually becomes a benefit when hunting for gold or playing a "super VR capture the flag".

Seth and Kendra do end up as caretakers of a dragon sanctuary. Alas, the dragons are not too happy with this. They have plenty of of challenges in the new adventures, and nearly die a few times. Back at home, the satyrs continue to provide comic amusement. This is a good book for readers already invested in Fablehaven.