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Wierm's Egg
When the green dragon Sylla discovers an orphaned human baby, she adopts him and raises him as her own. Wiermig grows up a child of two worlds, but the dragons are a dying race whose existence has been forgotten by men. Wiermig fulfills the expectations of the elder wierms by following the path of a fledgling dragon, first traveling the land with his uncle in disguise and then setting out on his own to learn his destiny from the Seeker in the Deep. Along the way he encounters demons, witches, and pirates as well as dragons, each with a part to play in changing Wiermig's life.
The past returns to shape the future when Erozur, the black dragon who devastated Weshura in an ancient war, resumes his bloody campaign against wierms and men. Wiermig, now a young bard, embarks on a dangerous journey to defeat Erozur, not with swords or strength, but with the knowledge he possesses and a powerful relic left by a long dead champion from the past.
The past returns to shape the future when Erozur, the black dragon who devastated Weshura in an ancient war, resumes his bloody campaign against wierms and men. Wiermig, now a young bard, embarks on a dangerous journey to defeat Erozur, not with swords or strength, but with the knowledge he possesses and a powerful relic left by a long dead champion from the past.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2014
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer C. Garlen
15 books39 followersA former English professor, Jennifer now writes about classic movies for Examiner.com and her own blog, Virtual Virago. She has degrees in English from Agnes Scott College, Georgia Southern University, and Auburn University. She also writes introductions to literary classics and works in popular culture studies.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 28, 2014
Delightful coming-of-age story. Much like Peter S. Beagle's "The Last Unicorn", "Wierm's Egg" cleverly plays with the conventions of the fantasy novel to create a compelling and original story.
November 7, 2014
A marvelous tale of the families we create for ourselves. Love and compassion are at the core of this tale of adventure and it's refreshing to see a protagonist work to survive in a complicated world by creating community rather than by wandering off alone. Lifelong readers of fantasy will be pleased to see the echoes of favorite authors in this text, including Kipling, Tolkien, and for me at least, Kenneth Grahame.
September 22, 2014
It is a beautiful book! Everyone should read it!
December 24, 2014
Interspecies bonding
If Tarzan, a human baby, could be raised by an ape, why could not Wiermig, the foundling discovered among the remains of a shipwreck, be raised by a dragon, or 'wierm' as the species is named, in this remarkable fantasy?
First of all, Jennifer is a friend of mine. I knew she was a writer but had no idea she wrote something so imaginative, sure-footed and readable as 'Wierm's Egg.' The baby, named Wiermig, or 'dragon's egg' by his adoptive mother Sylla, is raised to be a sensitive and peaceful child. Sylla does breathe fire and, like all wierms, she loves bright, sparkly treasure. I never have really understood the dragon lust for treasure theme. A dragon hoards gold, but how can it spend it? In this novel, that appetite is described as something innate within the wierm's nature, almost a chemical attraction. In this context, the wierm is not avaricious or greedy but actually loves the treasure for its own beauty, more of an 'art for art's sake' mindset than simply a desire to possess. Likewise, Sylla loves her own treasure, little 'Ig' as she nicknames him, with the unconditional love of a mother for her offspring.
Like many fantasy novels, this one involves an apprenticeship, a coming of age for the young prince and/or warrior. The refreshing difference in this novel is that the boy is drawn toward music and learns to play harp and flute and sing and write ballads. This is a portrait of the bard as a young man. As Sylla raises and educates her son and trains him in the ways and lore of the wierms, she realizes that she also needs to expose him to the world of his own kind. Fortunately, she possesses a magic ring that enables her to assume a human shape and, in the guise of a withered old woman, she escorts her young son into a nearby village, where she has befriended many of the residents, especially a simple yet true-hearted guard named Bert.
Also at some point, she must introduce Wiermig to a council of dragons and obtain approval for him to go on his quest and learn the secret that will fulfill his destiny. Sylla's brother Willais is appointed to accompany the lad. Using the magic ring, Willais will become a wandering troubadour. He and young Wiermig will soak up the local color, learn more about the ways of men, and earn their keep as strolling minstrels performing ballads for any audience that will have them.
I will not summarize the plot other than to state that Wiermig's talents as a bard and his wit rather than his skill with a sword enable him to survive the vicissitudes of plundering pirates, sunken ships, damsels in distress, most of whom are shallow princesses, vain kings and one demented evil Sauron of a dragon. In short, Wiermig does save the human inhabitants of this kingdom and restore the peace that once exists between humans and wierms.
This humanities person appreciates the fact that Wiermig becomes a bard, whose 'weapons', his flute and his lute, are larger than his silver dagger. The dragons are mostly peace-loving creatures. Sure, there are some bad ones in the bunch and, of course, the demented Erozur. Generally, they have no appetite for humans, as Sylla discovers after her necessary devouring of a couple of rogues who have invaded her cave. The result is the most combustible case of heartburn I have ever encountered.
Jennifer's imaginary world is far denser than many fairy tales and more fleshed out with a language, Serpentine, for the dragons, and a geography that is comprised of far more than simply a couple of kingdoms. This world is more detailed than that of most cinematic animated tales and more worthy of an adaptation by a master such as Hayao Miyazaki. Her prose possesses and unforced fluidity and she's also a pretty skillful writer of fantasy ballads. Only once does it slip and thrust one out of the reality of this world, when she refers to the scent of dragonbane as 'rather pleasant, like something one might add to a linen closet to keep the laundry fresh.' Do wierms have laundry to wash and, if so, do they need to put it in linen closets?
Although more stories of this world would be welcome, this novel is not launched to initiate a multi-volume saga such as George R.R. Martin might devise. It is short and concise and extremely well-paced and plotted. Full disclosure: Jennifer Garlen is a friend of mine. I knew she was a writer but had no idea she had written something so readable and imaginative. This novel is available in Kindle format only but that fact should in no way detract from the fact that any publisher would be a fool not to pass up the opportunity to make this a print book for mass consumption. Great job, Jennifer!
If Tarzan, a human baby, could be raised by an ape, why could not Wiermig, the foundling discovered among the remains of a shipwreck, be raised by a dragon, or 'wierm' as the species is named, in this remarkable fantasy?
First of all, Jennifer is a friend of mine. I knew she was a writer but had no idea she wrote something so imaginative, sure-footed and readable as 'Wierm's Egg.' The baby, named Wiermig, or 'dragon's egg' by his adoptive mother Sylla, is raised to be a sensitive and peaceful child. Sylla does breathe fire and, like all wierms, she loves bright, sparkly treasure. I never have really understood the dragon lust for treasure theme. A dragon hoards gold, but how can it spend it? In this novel, that appetite is described as something innate within the wierm's nature, almost a chemical attraction. In this context, the wierm is not avaricious or greedy but actually loves the treasure for its own beauty, more of an 'art for art's sake' mindset than simply a desire to possess. Likewise, Sylla loves her own treasure, little 'Ig' as she nicknames him, with the unconditional love of a mother for her offspring.
Like many fantasy novels, this one involves an apprenticeship, a coming of age for the young prince and/or warrior. The refreshing difference in this novel is that the boy is drawn toward music and learns to play harp and flute and sing and write ballads. This is a portrait of the bard as a young man. As Sylla raises and educates her son and trains him in the ways and lore of the wierms, she realizes that she also needs to expose him to the world of his own kind. Fortunately, she possesses a magic ring that enables her to assume a human shape and, in the guise of a withered old woman, she escorts her young son into a nearby village, where she has befriended many of the residents, especially a simple yet true-hearted guard named Bert.
Also at some point, she must introduce Wiermig to a council of dragons and obtain approval for him to go on his quest and learn the secret that will fulfill his destiny. Sylla's brother Willais is appointed to accompany the lad. Using the magic ring, Willais will become a wandering troubadour. He and young Wiermig will soak up the local color, learn more about the ways of men, and earn their keep as strolling minstrels performing ballads for any audience that will have them.
I will not summarize the plot other than to state that Wiermig's talents as a bard and his wit rather than his skill with a sword enable him to survive the vicissitudes of plundering pirates, sunken ships, damsels in distress, most of whom are shallow princesses, vain kings and one demented evil Sauron of a dragon. In short, Wiermig does save the human inhabitants of this kingdom and restore the peace that once exists between humans and wierms.
This humanities person appreciates the fact that Wiermig becomes a bard, whose 'weapons', his flute and his lute, are larger than his silver dagger. The dragons are mostly peace-loving creatures. Sure, there are some bad ones in the bunch and, of course, the demented Erozur. Generally, they have no appetite for humans, as Sylla discovers after her necessary devouring of a couple of rogues who have invaded her cave. The result is the most combustible case of heartburn I have ever encountered.
Jennifer's imaginary world is far denser than many fairy tales and more fleshed out with a language, Serpentine, for the dragons, and a geography that is comprised of far more than simply a couple of kingdoms. This world is more detailed than that of most cinematic animated tales and more worthy of an adaptation by a master such as Hayao Miyazaki. Her prose possesses and unforced fluidity and she's also a pretty skillful writer of fantasy ballads. Only once does it slip and thrust one out of the reality of this world, when she refers to the scent of dragonbane as 'rather pleasant, like something one might add to a linen closet to keep the laundry fresh.' Do wierms have laundry to wash and, if so, do they need to put it in linen closets?
Although more stories of this world would be welcome, this novel is not launched to initiate a multi-volume saga such as George R.R. Martin might devise. It is short and concise and extremely well-paced and plotted. Full disclosure: Jennifer Garlen is a friend of mine. I knew she was a writer but had no idea she had written something so readable and imaginative. This novel is available in Kindle format only but that fact should in no way detract from the fact that any publisher would be a fool not to pass up the opportunity to make this a print book for mass consumption. Great job, Jennifer!
January 12, 2015
I loved this engaging, well-written story of a female dragon, lonely in her mountain, who raises a shipwrecked orphan boy as her son. Calling the child Wiermig or Ig, egg, she faces the derision of her own dwindling kind and the wrath of villagers. This dragon owns a magic ring which can turn her into a human lady, so in this guise she is able to accompany the child to the village and buy food, clothing and advice.
Ig learns fast and absorbs dragon speech and lore along with his other lessons. When the time comes for him to be apprenticed he decides to become a minstrel or bard, and adds to his store of songs and legends. These stand him in good stead when he is faced with dire necessity, choices and strange beings on his travels. From witches to sea serpents, Ig has to deal with fierce powers, but the culmination of the adventures is the return of a loathsome, hungry black dragon, which had been previously thought to be just a legend.
With the generational cycle to the fore and adoption on the table, some strong issues are addressed in this novel. I have classed it as a Young Adult work because not only is it a coming of age story but the contents are suitable for young adults. However fantasy lovers of all ages will enjoy this re-imagining of the dragon theme and each will take some different message from the striving of the characters for a better life. I particularly liked a Plainswoman rider who appeals to me because she is practical and loves horses. Other people may focus on another character including some of the finely described dragons.
The only thing remaining for me to say to author Jennifer Garlen, is: More, Please!
Ig learns fast and absorbs dragon speech and lore along with his other lessons. When the time comes for him to be apprenticed he decides to become a minstrel or bard, and adds to his store of songs and legends. These stand him in good stead when he is faced with dire necessity, choices and strange beings on his travels. From witches to sea serpents, Ig has to deal with fierce powers, but the culmination of the adventures is the return of a loathsome, hungry black dragon, which had been previously thought to be just a legend.
With the generational cycle to the fore and adoption on the table, some strong issues are addressed in this novel. I have classed it as a Young Adult work because not only is it a coming of age story but the contents are suitable for young adults. However fantasy lovers of all ages will enjoy this re-imagining of the dragon theme and each will take some different message from the striving of the characters for a better life. I particularly liked a Plainswoman rider who appeals to me because she is practical and loves horses. Other people may focus on another character including some of the finely described dragons.
The only thing remaining for me to say to author Jennifer Garlen, is: More, Please!
October 21, 2014
This is a wonderful book. It's a unique and lovely story. I purchased it to read as bedtime story for my daughters (ages 4 and 7), with the plan to read a chapter at a time, each night. But I found the story so compelling I secretly finished the book without my daughters because I just couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I loved it from start to finish. I am still reading it to my girls, a chapter at a time and they are both still keenly interested in the characters and what is happening with them. Even knowing what happens next, I am enjoying reading it again and having the adventure unfold before me once again.
I have read a variety of books aloud to my girls--Dahl, Rowling, Grimm, Riordan, Lewis and more. So writers are easier to read aloud than others, even though their stories might be equally compelling. Garlen's word choices and dialog make this book delightfully fun to read aloud. Even without the dialog, the words flow easily and naturally and are a beautiful reflection of the grand adventure.
I recommend it to anyone who likes the fantasy genre as well as anyone who likes great adventure stories and anyone who likes a good story about interesting families.
There is a special aspect to this story that might make it extra meaningful to adoptive families
I have read a variety of books aloud to my girls--Dahl, Rowling, Grimm, Riordan, Lewis and more. So writers are easier to read aloud than others, even though their stories might be equally compelling. Garlen's word choices and dialog make this book delightfully fun to read aloud. Even without the dialog, the words flow easily and naturally and are a beautiful reflection of the grand adventure.
I recommend it to anyone who likes the fantasy genre as well as anyone who likes great adventure stories and anyone who likes a good story about interesting families.
There is a special aspect to this story that might make it extra meaningful to adoptive families
November 1, 2014
Engrossing and adorable. Wierm's egg sidesteps or skewers many fantasy tropes without simply becoming "the opposite of the tropes". It took me a couple of chapters to settle into the story, but once I did I wanted to know what would happen next. It's aimed at a young adult audience and is a stand alone book, so the plot is fairly straight forward, but not predictably so. An excellent light read, touching on family and the power of love.
March 26, 2015
Another great book about dragons. Human's and dragons
together WOW. Anyone who likes dragon stories will
like this book. ENJOY
together WOW. Anyone who likes dragon stories will
like this book. ENJOY
August 21, 2015
A very fun read, even if the story seems to flow along just a little too smoothly for our hero.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews