Doubleborn: A Dragonborn Novel

The Flaxfield Quartet #3

by Toby Forward

For years, a cruel wizard named Ash has been trapped in a magical prison-but now, she is poised to escape and get her revenge by unleashing an army of vicious monsters. Only three stand in her Sam, the apprentice of the wizard who imprisoned her, Starback, Sam's steadfast dragon companion, and Tamrin, a runaway wizard apprentice.Tamrin and Sam have only just met-but neither of them can deny the strange force that links them. They must discover the secret behind their connection in order to defeat Ash and protect everything they hold dear. But can two apprentices and a single dragon alone prevent the total destruction of the land they call home?Toby Forward's lyrically written, much-lauded series continues in this fantasy saga perfect for fans of Cressida Cowell and Angie Sage.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Dragons, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Magic

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Toby Forward is the author of many books for children, including Shakespeare's Globe. He has also written for adults. Toby Forward lives in Liverpool, England, with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Michael Earp · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Kes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book finally starts to bring the plot threads together. In the first book, there is a question of what an oak is (leaf, tree, branch), and it's nice to see that brought up again in conversation. I really liked this part:

"Attics," said Shoddle, "embrace lost lives. They hold all the remains of people long gone. Toys and books, unfashionable furniture, dresses too small for women grown stout, letters and bills, boots and shoes, things too precious to throw away, too useless to leave lying around. Not this attic. This attic was empty, quite empty, save for one thing."

To no-one's surprise, we learn here that Sam is Tam's "twin" (though twin is not an accurate word). We learn a little more about the history of magic (the three magical events).

I also liked how straight-forward the dialogue is - it felt very real. That's not much else I felt about this book - even the magic system feels subservient to the culture around magic (i.e. not to use it). Plot lines are simple (people are good or bad), but this is expected of a children's novel.

This felt like a huge improvement over the previous installment so this is a well-deserved 3 stars.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed books 1 and 2 of this series and book 3 did not disappoint. Slowly starting to bring the threads together and offer some answers I am definitely ready to get on with book 4 and find out they all face the obvious coming battle. Again this book doesn't give you all the information in a prescriptive manner, instead you get the details you need and have to join the dots. I really enjoy Forward's style of writing and feel it adds to the plot and suspense of this series. If I had any criticism it would be of the end when the intrepid adventurers have to face the evil coming. It was all over very quickly and maybe even a little too easily if we are to believe the power they all have. I'm expecting an epic battle in the final installment.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest instalment is both more bewildering than ever and starting to bring strands together, in a typically contrary fashion. A lot happening but room for some reflections [pun intended]: I particularly liked the frog stone story. Book Four had better be spectacularly satisfying! I expect I will have to go back and re-read all of them afterwards.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written, exciting, and enthralling series. Something of a "high fantasy" for young readers and listeners. Pretty fascinating, actually. The story line has built strongly from the first book, and it is quite a gripping tale. Eager to see how everything unfolds and comes back together in the fourth and final book (Starborn).

[Daphne Higginbottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a awesome book!

[Jacob Wittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doubleborn is the third in the Dragonborn series by Toby Forward. It is a mythical fiction book that continues with the story of Sam and Tamrin, both apprentices to wizards. The wild magic used by Slowin, a lazy and evil wizard who stole another apprentices’ name, has created Ash, a powerful wizard, and her beetle creations, who have been turned into kravvins and takkabakks. These creations are trying to kill everyone and find the necklace that Sam and Tamrin share. Ash is on the brink of escaping the Castle of Boolat, a place she was sealed in by Sam’s master, Flaxfield. If she can draw the remaining wizards and apprentices there, she can get the necklace and use the seal to escape. Tamrin runs away from the wizard college, Canterstock. She discovers that she and Sam are linked together in their memory, thought and speech, making them like one person. This happened when she or Sam were reflected in the magic mirror many years ago. A battle takes place after Tamrin finds this first magic mirror. Tamrin and Sam are helped by older wizards in the fight against Ash’s assistant, Smedge, and her evil kravvins and takkabakks.

One thing I liked about this book is that it had a lot of magic, suspense and fighting action. I like that the story moves around to different groups of people and that they all come together in the end. I would not change anything about this book.

The book is long but a good read for middle school students. It is interesting for those that like magic fiction books. This book would be good for both boys and girls as it has both male and female parts that are major to the story.

[Tesa Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am getting tired with Toby Forward's writing style. I can't stand it anymore.

This book is actually an OK, though readers may find themselves ask too much 'why' and too much 'how'.
Then readers will find themselves answer that question with:

"Ok accept that, that's the way it is, go on and continue read".

The last battle is cheesy, like Hollywood battle scene, with too much unnecessary conversation. I found all the characters are annoying except for Sam, Flaxfold and Jaimar. The dragon has no significant part (until now, and it's been the third book, 75% of the whole story!). Too much violence though less characters died. But, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the story, I don't know why. Maybe because I have already been reading it this far, so I need to finish the books. Oh, I love how the battles in his books were celebrated on the table.

And the acknowledgements? Uh :(

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the first two installments of this series, I thought that the vague, minimalist style was used to heighten mystery around the story but this book confirms that it is just how the author writes. It leaves me feeling rushed through the story and rather confused about what is going on. Doubleborn almost reminds me of a screenplay with it's emphasis on dialog and limited description of action and setting. This style may work for some but it just left me feeling like I was reading the rough draft of a potential good book.

[J.R. Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story with deep thought provoking questions. Forward tells a story of two individuals, who are a part of the same person, on a journey of saving the world while looking to becoming more than who they think they are.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Dragonborn series by Toby Forward, Tamrin must flee the relative safety of Canterstock College when the tailor who left her there returns to claim her. Unsure of herself or her path, Tamrin must find Sam to unlock the secrets of the magic they share with Sam's dragon, Starback.

It is important to read the first two, otherwise this book is pretty confusing. Recommended for ages 10-13.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this novel in a goodreads drawing.

It's a fairly good fantasy, with the usual doom bringing wizard, with the faceless, brainless army, and the plucky young folks who need to save the world. Some weird stuff with mirrors make this one a little different.

I can't say it really breaks any new ground, but at least it isn't some dour dystopia, and that's worth something all by itself.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are interesting concepts here, still, and glimpses of interesting characters, but the writing just fails to work for me and I find the plot disjointed and bumpy. But I keep reading because I want to find out how it ends. What does that say about me?

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprises and twists and excitement. Now, on to the final book.

[Christine Ditzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5