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The Cotopoxi Chronicles: The Reluctant Dragon Writer
When his twin sister is killed, the world that Marcus has known is entirely turned upside down. He had thought that he had known his sister well, only to discover that she had been living a secret life and had abilities above and beyond what he could only imagine.
What had begun as just another ordinary day in rural Oregon had quickly spun into a terrifying and confusing nightmare resulting in the death of his sister, Selena.
And to make matters even more bewildering, the last message she had left had contained detailed instructions on what to do about the…dragon that would be guarding her dead body when he found it.
What had begun as just another ordinary day in rural Oregon had quickly spun into a terrifying and confusing nightmare resulting in the death of his sister, Selena.
And to make matters even more bewildering, the last message she had left had contained detailed instructions on what to do about the…dragon that would be guarding her dead body when he found it.
485 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 23, 2022
Disclosure: I spent part of my childhood with the author as literally his next door neighbor. It gives me insight into some of the names of characters and some similarities between the author and his protagonist, but you don’t need that same background to enjoy this book.
This is the author’s first novel, set partly in the Pacific Northwest where I am from. Description of the trees, the way people talk and act it all tracks to my memory of growing up in Oregon.
This is a hero’s journey where said hero originally has no idea the world is much bigger than they think, like Harry Potter. Marcus is a bulky but awkward teenage boy. He is on the football team but is getting bullied, he is unsure of himself. Normal teenager.
Almost immediately into the novel he gets thrust into a world he had no idea existed. His sister can talk to him telepathically and oh - dragons exist. Marcus learns both of these things at a real inopportune time - his sister is in danger and we go with Marcus on an elaborate chase over many miles. It was well written it felt like I was watching a suspenseful chase on a good television show.
I also appreciated how the main problem with the middle of the book gets resolved near the end. Being a little cryptic to avoid spoilers but you’ll know what I’m referring to when you get to it. The resolution was natural and made sense and also was something that hadn’t occurred to me yet so a good surprise.
The author also “sticks the landing” with the ending and I appreciate that we can have a hero’s journey where the protagonist isn’t the “chosen one” or person of prophecy at least not in this novel. It leaves open the chance to continue the series and maybe that will come along but I like the idea that we can go along with someone who is special and qualifies as the hero without having to be the hero of heroes. He also writes a satisfying conclusion so the story does not feel incomplete.
Recommended. Solid 4 stars (I am a harsh grader) and aside from the fantasy elements it tells a story we can all relate to.
This is the author’s first novel, set partly in the Pacific Northwest where I am from. Description of the trees, the way people talk and act it all tracks to my memory of growing up in Oregon.
This is a hero’s journey where said hero originally has no idea the world is much bigger than they think, like Harry Potter. Marcus is a bulky but awkward teenage boy. He is on the football team but is getting bullied, he is unsure of himself. Normal teenager.
Almost immediately into the novel he gets thrust into a world he had no idea existed. His sister can talk to him telepathically and oh - dragons exist. Marcus learns both of these things at a real inopportune time - his sister is in danger and we go with Marcus on an elaborate chase over many miles. It was well written it felt like I was watching a suspenseful chase on a good television show.
I also appreciated how the main problem with the middle of the book gets resolved near the end. Being a little cryptic to avoid spoilers but you’ll know what I’m referring to when you get to it. The resolution was natural and made sense and also was something that hadn’t occurred to me yet so a good surprise.
The author also “sticks the landing” with the ending and I appreciate that we can have a hero’s journey where the protagonist isn’t the “chosen one” or person of prophecy at least not in this novel. It leaves open the chance to continue the series and maybe that will come along but I like the idea that we can go along with someone who is special and qualifies as the hero without having to be the hero of heroes. He also writes a satisfying conclusion so the story does not feel incomplete.
Recommended. Solid 4 stars (I am a harsh grader) and aside from the fantasy elements it tells a story we can all relate to.
Displaying 1 of 1 review