In "Dragons in the Clouds" by David Blair, the reader is transported into a realm where imagination knows no bounds. Within its pages, kings, knights, wizards, villagers, and dragons populate a magical world that harkens back to ancient literary fairy tales. Blair's narrative transcends temporal and cultural barriers, embracing the timeless tradition of oral storytelling.
About the book: Dragons in the Clouds
At its core, the story revolves around a man returning home from World War II, burdened with nightmarish memories and symptoms of PTSD. As a gift for his young daughter, he brings a toy dragon, promising to share its story. This framing device, reminiscent of The PrincessBride, sets the stage for a captivating narrative.
The tale unfolds as Rago, a young vegetarian dragon, forms an unlikely friendship with a human boy named David. However, their relationship is shattered when the King orders the extermination of all dragons, regardless of their nature. Merlinius, the King's wizard, attempts to protect the vegetation-eating dragons by hiding them in the clouds, but complications arise.
Book review: Dragon in the Clouds
Blair's storytelling is masterful, delivering a blend of visual and emotional conflict with perfect pacing that keeps the reader engaged. Rather than inundating the reader with excessive detail, Blair employs subtle worldbuilding techniques to convey essential aspects of the Kingdom of Albion and its magic.
Overall, "Dragons in the Clouds" is a captivating, plausible, and imaginative tale suitable for readers of all ages. I highly recommend it and am delighted to award it 5 out of 5 stars.
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