In an alternate version of our modern world, carbon-eating dragons terrorize the world's cities and industrial areas. Even in places like Trondheim, a small Canadian town, dragons are a problem, especially because professional dragon slayers aren't likely to live in the country when they can get more lucrative contracts from large companies. When Lottie Thorskard, one of Canada's most famous dragon slayers, retires to Trondheim with her family after and injury, the town rejoices, because Lottie's brother and nephew are both in the business. But with dragon attacks on the rise, even having a local dragon slayer may not be enough. This story is from the perspective of Siobhan McQuaid, who meets Lottie's nephew Owen on the first day of 11th grade. They become friends, and eventually she agrees to become his bard, telling tales and composing songs of his legendary feats of daring.

I liked the premise of this book well enough, but I must admit that I found it a slow read. I also had trouble believing in what they were trying to do as far as societal change. I felt like the disconnect between functional, supportive parents also being parents who would allow their child to go off and hunt dragons never allowed me to fully believe in those characters. I found the book more cerebral than engaging, when I would have liked it to be both. ( )

This book! So odd in some ways, and yet so wonderfully done. I'm in love with the carbon eating dragons of rural Canada, and even more in love with the pragmatically realistic main characters. They are interesting, detailed, and charmingly deadpan. I don't think I've read anything quite like it before. It's a good world, and I cared about Siobhan and Owen and all their families. As a portrayal of frustration with how humans use their environment, even knowing that it brings the destruction of the world, it's bang on the mark. Not a love story. Can stand alone. Has that A.S. King weird and workable exploration of soul that I really dig right now. ( )

This review was published by The Children's Book and Media Review run by Brigham Young University.

There aren’t a lot of dragon slayers in their tiny Canadian town, but when Owen and his family shows up, Siobhan’s life changes as she becomes his bard to chronicle his adventures. She helps him with his algebra while she’s working on her music skills. Before she expects it, however, she’s on a quest with him to discover why there are so many dragons in the area and what they can do to stop it. She discovers her own role in Owen’s story, and that even a bard can have a huge impact on how the Story of Owen will end.

The relationship between Siobhan and Owen grows into a functioning team, and perhaps one of the best aspects of it is that it turns into a strong friendship instead of into a romance like what might be expected. The world-building is fascinating, taking our world but adding in dragons that are attracted to carbon fuels. The invented history to make it parallel to our world with the addition of dragons is fascinating and thorough. The dry humor, excellent world building, and fantastic characters will make this book a favorite for fantasy lovers. ( )

The idea of carbon emissions craving dragons drew me into this story, and I'm glad I read it. It's a fascinating premise, and the book is solidly rooted in history (which sounds weird, because: dragons, but it melded them into history really well). Also, Canada. I loved the characters, and my only real complaint is that I found it a slow read. Great cover though, so I will definitely bring it on school visits. ( )

RGG: Amazing! The narrative voice so strong. The deft re-writing of history to incorporate a world with dragons--although one wonders how many of the allusions YA readers will understand. Unique and captivating. Reading Interest: 14-YA.