Embarking on an arduous journey that holds no promise of return, the band of humans and dragons must make its way along the toxic and inhospitable Rain Wild River-an extraordinary odyssey that will teach them lessons about themselves and one another as they experience hardships, betrayals, and joys beyond their wildest dreams. The two women share a deep kinship with the dragons: Thymara can instinctively communicate with them, and Alise, captivated by their beauty and majesty, has devoted her life to studying them. Among them is Thymara, an unschooled forest girl of sixteen, and Alise, a wealthy Trader’s wife trapped in a loveless marriage, who attaches herself to the expedition as a dragon expert. But too much time has passed, and the newly hatched. In return, the Traders promised to help her serpents migrate up the Rain Wild River after a long exile at seato find a safe haven and, Tintaglia hopes, to restore her species. But they could not have staved off invasion without the powerful dragon Tintaglia. To ensure their safe passage, the Traders recruit a disparate group of young people to care for the damaged creatures and escort them to their new home. For years, the Trader cities valiantly battled their enemies, the Chalcedeans. To avert catastrophe, the dragons decree a move even farther up the treacherous river to Kelsingra, their ancient, mythical homeland whose mysterious location is locked deep within the dragons’ uncertain ancestral memories. The Trader leadership fears that if it stops providing for the young dragons, the hungry and neglected creatures will rampage-or die along the river’s acidic muddy banks. But Tintaglia has vanished and the Traders are weary of the labor and expense of tending useless dragons. The few who survive cannot use their wings earthbound, they are powerless to hunt and vulnerable to human predators willing to kill them for the fabled healing powers of dragon flesh. But too much time has passed, and the newly hatched dragons are damaged and weak, and many die. In return, the Traders promised to help her serpents migrate up the Rain Wild River after a long exile at sea-to find a safe haven and, Tintaglia hopes, to restore her species. Thank-you for some beautiful writing.For years, the Trader cities valiantly battled their enemies, the Chalcedeans. It is not often that everyone in our family has enjoyed a book so much. “Last night I finished reading the Dragon Keeper to. “dragonkeeper is the crappiest story i’ve read” - Frank P “During the whole of the story, my eyes were glued to the book, not even stopping to eat! I recommend it to any reader of any age.” - James G “… an ambitious novel, marrying ancient Chinese history and culture with magic and fantasy… the sights, smells and tastes of this fantastic ancient China are fully realised.” - Bookseller & Publisher (Children's Supplement), November 2003 Reader reviews It is a story that informs as it delights and leaves the reader with a yearning to know more.” - Judges’ Report 2004, Children’s Book Council of Australia, 2004 “The story explores themes of trust, courage, power, greed and love in a meticulously researched setting. This is the story of a young slave girl who believes she is not worthy of a name but finds within herself the strength and courage to make this perilous journey - and do what must be done. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon make an epic journey across China carrying a mysterious stone that must be protected.
A slave girl saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Read the chapter ‘The edge of the empire’ (533 KB PDF)Īncient China, Han Dynasty.