Der Eisdrache

The Darkest Age #1

by A.J. Lake, Wolfram Ströle (Übersetzer)

Edmund, a king’s son in disguise, and Elspeth, a sea captain’s tomboy daughter, are the only two survivors of a terrible shipwreck. They just want to go home, but fate has other plans as they are drawn into the fight against an evil warlord terrorizing their homeland. Accompanied by a mysterious minstrel and haunted by magical powers they did not seek, Edmund and Elspeth journey across a savage land of wild boars, fierce rogue knights, and black magic. Fantasy fans will devour this dramatic tale of mystery, wonder, and the power of friendship.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Magic

284 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting blend of fantasy and early-Christian English historical fiction. Very well researched, you really got a feel for the time period. Loved seeing the clash of religions: Christian, English paganism, and the even earlier legends of the old Norse gods. And the crystal sword was just freakin' cool.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good story, but I wasn't really engaged. Like, when I was reading it I enjoyed it, but I didn't have a hard time putting it down and I never really felt the need to pick it up. The characters felt a little flat to me, too--I never really felt what they were feeling or even sympathized. And the end--who the bad guy ended up being--was like a total slap in the face. Totally didn't see that coming, but I think that wasn't a good thing in this case--it was more like it was really random and last-minute. There were hints throughout, I guess, but they never connecting the two characters by anything that made the hints actual hints. But the story is good. I might end up picking up the next one if I see it around, but I don't know that I'd actively seek it out.

[Fred Spark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may be boring for most people, but I love to see the start of an adventure with inexperienced characters that somehow have weak powers at first (or so it seems) and start getting the hang of it while the story progresses. It's a slow process but when it's well done, it pays off. The story has an interesting plot overall, it doesn't glue you to the book, but when you read it, you are having a good time.
The thing about this book that I enjoyed the most is that there never was a time while reading it that I thought "well... This character just lost credibility." which tends to happen in fantasy adventures just to progress the plot. The characters tend to be faithful to their story until the very end. What I mean with this is that for example, we are introduced to a character with a tragedy backstory, the plot continues and many things happen, but that character still talks about that backstory to further improve their present self. It's consistent.
Also, there is no convoluted names or excessive characters that has no purpose to the story, which is great because I never was too fond of the idea.
This was my first book. It may be a bit biased because of that, but I really enjoyed the journey, and who would have guessed, its a trilogy, hope it continues well.

[Julka Oreska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samozrejme, že sa mi kniha zdala lepšia, keď som mala 12 rokov, ale toto je úplne prvá kniha, ktorú som kedy prečítala, preto všetky hviezdičky. Lebo každá kniha, ktorá vytvorí nového čitateľa si to zaslúži.

[TeenFiction Teton County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

TLC CALL#: YA LAKE

Chris’ rating: 4 stars
Edmund is a king’s son, being sent incognito away for safety in troubled times. Elspeth is the Sea Captain’s daughter who loves sailing with her father and his crew. They are on the same ship when the storm arrives…and maybe something more…for Edmund sees the dragon…and might just have watched through it’s savage eyes as it attacked the ship. Barely surviving Edmund and Elspeth discover unwanted abilities and gifts which pull them on an adventure neither wants, but they cannot avoid, especially with a dangerous magical enemy who will do almost anything to get his hands on the magic sword that has chosen Elspeth to wield it.
First off…While the word dragons is in the title, and the dragon plays an important part in the events that change the two main character’s life, the actual creature doesn’t make very many showings in the story. Coming of Dragons is reasonably well written, but not excessively deep. The story is enjoyable, but not nonstop action. The fact that both of the main characters didn’t want what they were forced to have added flavor…especially when Edmund strives to overcome the stigma and his personal prejudice against what he himself is. Occasional stupid decisions by Elspeth and Edmund drove me slightly crazy…but overall it was a good read. Probably best suited to youth 11-15 who like a good, but not terribly complex fantasy.

[Liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story! I love the fantasy elements this book has, there’s plenty of magic, battle scenes, magical swords and scary villains that should be avoided at all costs! There’s a LOT of action too, even on the first page of chapter 1 where a dragon is attacking a ship and the main characters struggle for their lives!

I grew to like the characters as the story went on. I LOVED how both Elspeth and Edmund have these unwanted gifts and they have to run from countless of dangers because of them. The story was actually pretty scary, especially when the villain kept trying to see through Edmund during his journey!

As much as I loved Elspeth’s cool sword and her story, I really found myself liking Edmund's unique ability and back story more so. Preeeeeetty epic.

I REALLY LOVE CLUARAN BY THE WAY. He's so mysterious.

Despite the book's title, there’s not really much about dragons in it. We only see a dragon at the beginning of the book and at the end. *laughs* Speaking of the end, that cliffhanger was amazing! It made me all the more excited to read the next book!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating first book in a series. Lake has created an interesting YA fantasy with a Medieval feel and tone and budding friendship between the two central characters (Elspeth and Edmund) who must rise to the challenge after finding themselves in the middle of an epic battle of good versus evil.

This book has plenty of action and interesting twists but it certainly leaves you wanting to read the next book as fast as possible.

[Jorden Cookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an abosolute MUST READ! if you ever need a distraction, the two main characters are so different they are unique yet they know each other like they've know each other their whole lives. They way the books reviels aspects of the story leaves the reader desperate to read more, and they twist that just pops out knowhere in the end, there are no words i love this Author!!

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Coming of dragons starts off on a ship about to go down in a violent storm. One of the main characters named Edmund comes on deck before it crashes and sees a strange creature moving through the sky breathing fire. Edmund is the son of the king of Sussex and is traveling in secret to his uncle for his father is away from the kingdom and his mother fears for the family line. The boat crashes but Edmund is luckily saved the second main character, the ship captains daughter, named Elspeth who helps him cling to a floating chest. The chest floats a shore where an old hermit waits for them. Edmund awakes and learns the hermits name Aagard, and Edmund begins to tell Aagard about the creature in the storm and how for a moment he felt like he was staring down at the sinking ship with glee. Aagard tells him that Edmund is a Ripente, a person with the ability to look through other people’s eyes and sense their emotions, and that Edmund was looking thought the eyes of a dragon during the storm. Edmund is shocked by this because Ripente are usually spies for kings and people everywhere view them as thieves or crooks. Elspeth awakes and looks at the chest which magically opens and inside is a shining silver bracelet that grabs onto her skin and disappears into her hand. Aagard decides that it’s time to tell the children of what’s to come. He used to be part of a great council for the king of Wessex until a young council member named Orgrim, who was also a Ripente, convinced the king that all other members of the council where using dark magic and they fled the kingdom. Aagard was falsely accused as Orgrim was actually using dark magic. Orgrim’s wanted the bracelet in the magic chest because it gives the wielder one of the greatest swords in the world, but Aagard and his friends took it with them. To find the sword Orgrim summoned a dragon so the bracelet would have to find an owner. Aagard tells the children that they must go to stop Orgrim because Elspeth has the bracelet and Edmund can use Ripente abilities. Both of them want to refuse but say they will after they contact family and friends to tell them the survived the crash because Edmunds mom will worry and Elspeths dad died in the crash. All three of them set off but Aagard quickly has to leave for a village was attacked and they need someone to use healing magic. Aagard leaves the children the hands of a traveling minstrel named Cluaran but warns the children to stay silent about their task and gifts because Cluaran isn’t exactly a friend. The three of them travel through the land stopping at several villages and dodging for guards loyal to Orgrim who has placed a bounty on their heads. During the trip Edmund learns that Orgrim is actually his uncle who his mother was sending him to, and he is torn by the discovery. Eventually Cluaran leads them to the home city of Orgrim, Venta Bulgarum, claiming to have business. The children ignore his warning of staying outside the city and journey in till getting captured by guards. Cluaran sees the children but quickly flees and the children are to be sentenced to death after Orgrim arrives and persuades the king. Orgrim learns Elspeth has the sword and takes her away to be tortured till she hands it over. Edmund is freed from prison by Cluaran and both go to save Elspeth from Orgrim. Edmund sees a bird in the sky and knows Orgrim is using it to track them and Edmund kills it. By killing the bird while Orgrim is using it blinds Orgrim, and Edmund and Cluaran save Elspeth. The three of them confront the king of Wessex and reveal Orgrims plot. The children think there safe when later the dragon from before grabs them and takes them away in the middle of the night.
I gave the book an average score because I liked the plot and the setting, but the book is very predictable. The book is set in medieval time and I’ve always enjoyed that kind of feel in a book. The characters are also really nice at how they interact with each other throughout the book. These things do make the book good but it doesn’t cover well for the books short comings.
The book is very predictable and takes away from the joy of reading it. “Little Whitewing. Only one person had compared him to the geese on the lake, his uncle Aelfred” (214). This came from the moment Edmund found out about Orgrim being his uncle, but I had seen this coming from a mile away. He spends about a fourth of the book about his uncle, and being a Ripente is genetic and the only other Ripente is Orgrim. This really takes away from the book because it was so obvious and frustrating that it took Edmund so long to figure it out. “Wait here until I come for you, he said, and he vanished among the trees. Elspeth started after him.” (177). It’s obvious from the start that they would follow him into the city. It’s even more obvious that they would be caught almost immediately. These things take away from the book because it takes away the twists and turns that should come with any book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elspeth is on her father’s ship headed for Gaul. They have a special passenger on board who hasn’t left his cabin for the entire voyage! Suddenly the worst storm Elspeth has ever seen hit the ship. The ship catches on fire and sinks. She manages to swim to a sea chest that is floating in the waves. She grabs the mysterious passenger and manages to pull him up on the chest as well. The passenger’s name is Edmund. A wizard has seen in a dream that they will wash up on shore and is there to meet them.
When he sees the chest covered with magical runes, he is speechless. He knows that the chest contains something very precious, but no one has the power to open the chest. Elspeth simply goes over to the chest and opens it! Inside is a magical crystal sword. The wizard tells her that the sword has chosen her and that it is her destiny to free the land of evil. This is NOT the destiny Elspeth wants. She wants to find her father and be a sailor and eventually a captain of her own ship.
Meanwhile, Edmund, who is a prince of a neighboring land, finds he has an unwanted gift as well. He can see through the eyes of others! Edmund’s father is off in the North fighting another enemy, and his mother was sending Edmund to her brother in Gaul to be safe until his father returns.
Edmund and Elspeth reluctantly join forces with a traveling minstrel who agrees to see them safely home. However, the forces of evil are all around and the two children are forced to use their new skills to protect themselves against the evil Orgrim, who has unleashed the terrible dragon name Torment in order to rule the world!
Susan Huff, Library Media Specialist

[Flávia (Fuga de Letras) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tendo comprado a trilogia (desconto imperdível) sem conhecer a autora nem ter lido quaisquer reviews, o livro revelou-se uma descoberta agradável. A sinopse pareceu-me bastante interessante e esta primeira história não desiludiu. Gostei das personagens e dos seus poderes, particularmente pela evolução a que assistimos ao longo da narrativa, tanto a nível de crescimento pessoal como de aceitação/conquista dos seus poderes. É um livro que se lê depressa, pois tem um bom ritmo de acção e a escrita flui bem.
No entanto, gostaria de ter lido mais sobre o mundo em que esta história se insere. Não creio que haja informação ou descrição suficiente neste primeiro volume que permita enquadrá-lo num ambiente único (neste caso, a Idade das Trevas). Espero que, nos livros seguintes, esta falha seja resolvida. Outro aspecto que me enervou um pouco foi o facto de haver pouca explicação acerca de certos acontecimentos na história. Sabem quando, por várias ocasiões, um personagem é questionado por informação essencial, mas, por qualquer motivo, não pode/não quer dizer tudo e esta é revelada às pinguinhas, até que se torna demasiado tarde? Pois, isto acontece demasiadas vezes neste livro e, sinceramente, é algo que sempre me enerva quando me deparo com situações destas.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book follows Edmund and Elspeth, reluctant heroes both gifted with things they never asked for—or particularly wanted. Their gifts are interesting as is watching them learn to use them, but what really stands out is how grounded they are. Living in a harsher world than the one we know today, both are sensible and tough, yet still children—Elspeth is impulsive, Edmund easily led.

This fits well with the historical setting. Its attentiveness to social conventions and the realities of life centuries back make for a sense of realism. Fantasy is woven into this world without altering it significantly, on an everyday level, from what ours once was.

Overall, it is a little bit of everything. Is this an action story? Yes. Is it a fantasy? Yes. Is it a coming-of-age story? Well, the series looks to be, and this first book sets the characters down that path.

The writing style may put off some readers, because although the book was written recently it matches stylistically with traditional fantasy, not young adult literature. That said, it is perfectly suited to younger readers but may lack the immediacy some have come to expect.

[Lia’s Little Book Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic fantasy book. Real action packed adventure from start to finish (very literally) and many twists and turns and close scrapes in the story to continually make you want to read more. Can't wait to get into the next part of the story (no spoilers) because the story is really hotting up. However one thing that caught my attention was on page 156, line 4, there had been a name mistake implying that Elspeth had in fact been in two places at once, I think A.J. Lake meant Edward, not Elspeth. Once read you'll understand.

[Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book a few years ago, I literally could not put it down. My family got mad at me several times because I had my nose in this book the whole few hours it took me to finish it, even when I was walking to go get something. I think the characters were great, and I love Edmund and Elspeth's powers.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for kids, I'd say age 8-11, and it's probably a good fit for both boys and girls of that age. It is fast paced, full of magic and some surprises. For grown ups like me, I thought it was a fun quick read, but it didn't move me in any meaningful ways....

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA Fantasy- The main characters are 11 yrs old, which I find a little unbelievable for the things they get involved with, but it is well written and an interesting story with a little surprise towards the end. I found it an enjoyable read. This is clean enough for kids 11 and up.

[Melmat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, I'm very dissapointed. The characters kept making the same mistakes again and again, and there was hardly any character development, plus not much a plot. And the endings kind of flat. For people who love literature... I wouldn't reccomend it.

[Lowerthecucumber]

I think it was this book that painted such a clear image in my head of a far away shot of boy screaming in terror on a boat as rain soaked the word around him and all the while there was nothing but a feeling of calm. 10/10 moment. I don't remember anything else about this entire series.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy and girl survive shipwreck and attain special powers to stop an evil dragon. Good fantasy.

[Costacoralito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read with a good vocabulary. My bilingual (Spanish/English)eleven year old son and I read it to each and will continue with the next book in the Darkest Age series.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much, could'nt wait to get the next book, lovely story, a must read..

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a good story...5 stars...

[Angelus: Lupus tenebris Angeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was okay but it kinda made me sad when the dragon came in the end

[Benjamin Freudenmann]

i love this book

[Tanya M Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down and I wanted to kill my daughter for introducing me to a series before it was completely written. This was a truly great read.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story with twists and turns. Ends quickly and leave the read wanting to continue on to the next book.

[Chris M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!I would defenitly tell someone else to read this book.It is full of adventer and it is a CLIF HANGER!!!!!!!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked it, liked the characters, the mystery and the simplicity of style. The author wasn't superfluous with the description and emotions--but still pulled me in. I rushed through it!

[Sérgio Pelado · Rating 4 out of 5]

yess DARGONS

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some years back I plucked this off a shelf in the library (surprisingly, it was in the YA section, when it should have been shoved in with the "Children's" section that housed all middle-grade books) thumbed through a few pages, and dismissed it as not interesting enough for me to bother with. I stumbled across it again recently and figured I might as well give it a second chance. After all, it's not a very big book and I figured I wouldn't lose anything by reading it.

Turns out where the plot of this book was heading was definitely interesting to me. I do feel like the writing itself comes across as awkward, choppy, and rapidly-paced throughout the book, and some of that can be attributed to the fact it's written for a middle grade audience. But I also think that there is a lot of world-building shoved here and there interspersed throughout this, and it's not exactly done well. We get mentions of elements to the story, to this world, and the plot progresses with a supposition that either the audience will simply accept this or that they don't care to learn more detail and reason behind why things are the way they are, what happened and why, who is who, etc. I definitely think that this book could have benefited from more writing, more world-building, and more time with our two protagonists, Edmund and Elspeth. Not that they don't get some development, but they do feel somewhat two-dimensional right now, as though they are defined by just a couple of specific character traits and that those are all there are to both of them.

Regardless of these issues, I did like where the story was going and what it's set itself up for, for the two following books that come after this one. I do recommend giving it a shot, particularly if you're interested in fiction that delves into Norse mythology and you already enjoy reading middle grade books.