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Dragon Castle
Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his family - no one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko's parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls, it is up to the young prince to save the day. But there is more to this castle and its history than meets the eye, and Rashko will have to embrace his ancestry, harness a dragon, and use his sword-fighting skills to stop the baron and save the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that his family is not quite as stupid as he always thought.
Master storyteller Joseph Bruchac, known for his smart, gripping Native American books, here combines his signature action and adventure with a large dose of humor, which just brings this story to a whole new level.
Master storyteller Joseph Bruchac, known for his smart, gripping Native American books, here combines his signature action and adventure with a large dose of humor, which just brings this story to a whole new level.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2011
24 people are currently reading
1339 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Bruchac
279 books600 followersJoseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York, in the same house where his maternal grandparents raised him. Much of his writing draws on that land and his Abenaki ancestry. Although his American Indian heritage is only one part of an ethnic background that includes Slovak and English blood, those Native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
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October 29, 2011
"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." This quote is often attributed to Mark Twain though no one has ever been able to prove it much one way or another. The sentiment, however, is universal. There comes a certain time in a young teen's life when their parents lose a bit of their luster. Suddenly the kid feels that they themselves are the arbitrators of the universe and their parents old has-beens without a brain to share. Not every teenager feels this way, obviously, but a whole mess of them do and it's rare that I see this feeling portrayed in a work of fiction as brilliantly as it is in Joseph Bruchac's latest novel Dragon Castle. Best known for his books that have, in some ways, called upon his Abenaki Indian heritage, Bruchac switches gears and presents a book that finds its roots in another part of his family: His Slovakian ancestry. The result is a wry, funny, thoroughly enjoyable book from start to finish. The kind of fantasy novel a person can sink into with glee.
Prince Rashko has a problem. On the horizon marches a large army of foes, clearly bent on conquering his castle. His parents, not the brightest sorts to begin with, have been lured away to fairyland in the interim and don't look like they'll be home for a while. His older brother Paulek, meanwhile, keen to invite the invaders in for some good old fashioned sparring exercises, let's them in without a second thought. Their castle, the impressive Hladka Hvorka, was raised by the legendry hero Pavol and it houses a secret. A secret the army's evil Baron wants. A secret Rashko will have to use all his ingenuity to protect. That said, if he just pays a little bit of attention, Rashko will find that he has friends of all sorts willing to help him out. He need simply trust them. An extensive Author's Note, Cast of Characters, Places, and Slovak Vocabulary and Numbers appear at the end of the book.
Right from the start Rashko informs us in no uncertain terms that his parents are less than entirely intelligent. That they're a sandwich short of a picnic. A Brady short of a bunch. The wheel is running but the hamster's dead. "Why, I sometimes wonder, am I the only one in our family who ever seems to entertain a thought as anything other than a transient visitor?" Bruchac starts us off with a hero who is sympathetic not necessarily because he has a sterling personality, but rather because kids who see their own families in much the same light will sympathize. Never mind that as the story continues Bruchac manages to show instances of Rashko's parents and older brother showing great savvy while looking like they are dumb as a trio of stumps. You believe that Rashko is truly ignorant of these moments. To my surprise, he does change his tune a little by the story's close but not as much as you might think. Though he ends his story by saying that he has been too quick to judge his family, he still doesn't quite understand his brother's role in everything that has occurred. Telegraphing information to your readership without overdoing it is no easy task. Mr. Bruchac, however, is clearly an old pro at the height of his game.
I confess that I haven't had this much fun with a Joseph Bruchac book since his superhero/folktale telling of Wabi lo these many years ago. In Dragon Castle you get the distinct impression that the author is just having huge heaping helpings of fun. You know those books you read that cause you to stop mid-sentence and say to yourself, "I am REALLY enjoying this book"? That's what we have here. There's something about the combination of Rashko's flippant tone, Pavol's exciting story, a storybook villain who's bad but not in a way that's unpleasant to read about, and dippy parents that just makes for good times. The folktales worked into the story alongside the sheer pleasure Bruchac takes in this writing makes the book great fare for any kid with a love of fantasy with flavor.
What's interesting to me at this point is the fact that there are actually a couple threads left hanging by the story's close. For one thing, I think we know what happens to the big bad guy, but boy is that moment glossed over. Usually big bads get a requisite death scene of some sort. This one just sort of disappears in the mess of general chaos. There was also the aforementioned question of how much Rashko's brother actually knows. That second question makes for good book discussion moments, while the first question feels more like an afterthought. And then there's the fact that some parts of this book get a little repetitious with the reading. I didn't stop to count the number of "knowing glances" in this book, but believe me when I say that they are certainly prevalent.
All that said, finding straight fantasy that utilizes humor well isn't always easy. I should mention that there are some vague references to potential harm that could be done to the castle's female inhabitants by the male soldiers but Bruchac keeps these moments suitably vague and entirely middle grade friendly. If you happen to be on the lookout for something to pair this book with, consider Diane Stanley's The Silver Bowl or Icefall by Matthew Kirby. All these books take old fantasy ideas and give them new twists. You'd never guess that the guy behind Geronimo or Sacajawea would change gears so effortlessly but there you go. The proof is in the pudding. The author is in his element.
For ages 9-14.
Prince Rashko has a problem. On the horizon marches a large army of foes, clearly bent on conquering his castle. His parents, not the brightest sorts to begin with, have been lured away to fairyland in the interim and don't look like they'll be home for a while. His older brother Paulek, meanwhile, keen to invite the invaders in for some good old fashioned sparring exercises, let's them in without a second thought. Their castle, the impressive Hladka Hvorka, was raised by the legendry hero Pavol and it houses a secret. A secret the army's evil Baron wants. A secret Rashko will have to use all his ingenuity to protect. That said, if he just pays a little bit of attention, Rashko will find that he has friends of all sorts willing to help him out. He need simply trust them. An extensive Author's Note, Cast of Characters, Places, and Slovak Vocabulary and Numbers appear at the end of the book.
Right from the start Rashko informs us in no uncertain terms that his parents are less than entirely intelligent. That they're a sandwich short of a picnic. A Brady short of a bunch. The wheel is running but the hamster's dead. "Why, I sometimes wonder, am I the only one in our family who ever seems to entertain a thought as anything other than a transient visitor?" Bruchac starts us off with a hero who is sympathetic not necessarily because he has a sterling personality, but rather because kids who see their own families in much the same light will sympathize. Never mind that as the story continues Bruchac manages to show instances of Rashko's parents and older brother showing great savvy while looking like they are dumb as a trio of stumps. You believe that Rashko is truly ignorant of these moments. To my surprise, he does change his tune a little by the story's close but not as much as you might think. Though he ends his story by saying that he has been too quick to judge his family, he still doesn't quite understand his brother's role in everything that has occurred. Telegraphing information to your readership without overdoing it is no easy task. Mr. Bruchac, however, is clearly an old pro at the height of his game.
I confess that I haven't had this much fun with a Joseph Bruchac book since his superhero/folktale telling of Wabi lo these many years ago. In Dragon Castle you get the distinct impression that the author is just having huge heaping helpings of fun. You know those books you read that cause you to stop mid-sentence and say to yourself, "I am REALLY enjoying this book"? That's what we have here. There's something about the combination of Rashko's flippant tone, Pavol's exciting story, a storybook villain who's bad but not in a way that's unpleasant to read about, and dippy parents that just makes for good times. The folktales worked into the story alongside the sheer pleasure Bruchac takes in this writing makes the book great fare for any kid with a love of fantasy with flavor.
What's interesting to me at this point is the fact that there are actually a couple threads left hanging by the story's close. For one thing, I think we know what happens to the big bad guy, but boy is that moment glossed over. Usually big bads get a requisite death scene of some sort. This one just sort of disappears in the mess of general chaos. There was also the aforementioned question of how much Rashko's brother actually knows. That second question makes for good book discussion moments, while the first question feels more like an afterthought. And then there's the fact that some parts of this book get a little repetitious with the reading. I didn't stop to count the number of "knowing glances" in this book, but believe me when I say that they are certainly prevalent.
All that said, finding straight fantasy that utilizes humor well isn't always easy. I should mention that there are some vague references to potential harm that could be done to the castle's female inhabitants by the male soldiers but Bruchac keeps these moments suitably vague and entirely middle grade friendly. If you happen to be on the lookout for something to pair this book with, consider Diane Stanley's The Silver Bowl or Icefall by Matthew Kirby. All these books take old fantasy ideas and give them new twists. You'd never guess that the guy behind Geronimo or Sacajawea would change gears so effortlessly but there you go. The proof is in the pudding. The author is in his element.
For ages 9-14.
April 9, 2012
Finally, an enjoyable book without language that would make my mother blush and intimate scenes that make me blush. I've read too many YA books in a row with strong language and mature themes. It was nice to read a wholesome book with just a light touch of romance. I was looking forward to this book simply for the fact that it seemed an unlikely book for Joseph Bruchac to write. I was more accustomed to his books that focused on Native Americans. I went into our public library to pick up books that were required reading and saw this one. I decided to pick it up simply because I was intrigued. I'm glad I did. I'm planning on purchasing a copy for my junior high students that need to read traditional lit. I think boys and girls alike will enjoy this one.
The humor in the book was refreshing. I actually found myself chuckling aloud, much to the dismay of my family. I would then try to explain myself, but they just didn't get it. The dragon's voice (Sedem) at the end of the story was hilarious. The diversion and tight humor woven into the serious was perfect.
I only have 2 issues with the book. Throughout the entire book, I had a problem with Pavol's name. I kept calling him "Pavlov"...and the 2 dogs in the story didn't help. My only other issue was with the title. I understand the reason behind the title, but it just seemed rather bland. The cover pic of the castle is actually what drew me to the book...that, and the fact that I saw Bruchac's name attached to it.
I read a few chapters yesterday and finished the rest of it today. It was hard to put it down. Bruchac did a great job with suspense at the end of the chapters...especially when Rashko was reading/experiencing the scrolls. Well done Mr. Bruchac, well done. Dakujem...
The humor in the book was refreshing. I actually found myself chuckling aloud, much to the dismay of my family. I would then try to explain myself, but they just didn't get it. The dragon's voice (Sedem) at the end of the story was hilarious. The diversion and tight humor woven into the serious was perfect.
I only have 2 issues with the book. Throughout the entire book, I had a problem with Pavol's name. I kept calling him "Pavlov"...and the 2 dogs in the story didn't help. My only other issue was with the title. I understand the reason behind the title, but it just seemed rather bland. The cover pic of the castle is actually what drew me to the book...that, and the fact that I saw Bruchac's name attached to it.
I read a few chapters yesterday and finished the rest of it today. It was hard to put it down. Bruchac did a great job with suspense at the end of the chapters...especially when Rashko was reading/experiencing the scrolls. Well done Mr. Bruchac, well done. Dakujem...
December 17, 2011
The things I loved the most about this book were the narrator's personality (personality is typical in a first-person MC, but not guaranteed), and the clear good vs. evil conflict.
Now, having said that, the plot was NOT predictable. Oh, certain pieces were, but so much was unexpected.
The book also had some rather hilarious scenes, especially when the king and queen tried to dress up like peasants.
There were a lot of single Slovakian words in the dialogue, which made the book feel so rich. Ano is yes, Nie is no, and so forth. The Slovakian helped flesh out the character and world without spending too much time actually describing them.
I suppose I would have loved this book more if it was part of a series, but it is a good standalone and I can't be picky all the time.
Now, having said that, the plot was NOT predictable. Oh, certain pieces were, but so much was unexpected.
The book also had some rather hilarious scenes, especially when the king and queen tried to dress up like peasants.
There were a lot of single Slovakian words in the dialogue, which made the book feel so rich. Ano is yes, Nie is no, and so forth. The Slovakian helped flesh out the character and world without spending too much time actually describing them.
I suppose I would have loved this book more if it was part of a series, but it is a good standalone and I can't be picky all the time.
July 17, 2013
I am on p 72 and am bored with it. I don't like the way it switches back and forth from the original tale to the current tale. It is jarring and disrupts my ability to get the gist of the story.
Not sure if I plan to finish this one. I have started this one several times thinking it was just the time I tried reading it. It is my opinion if you are not enjoying a read by 50 pages or so you should find another read. I have too many other books in my "to read" box from school that I know are enjoyable.
Not recommended
Not sure if I plan to finish this one. I have started this one several times thinking it was just the time I tried reading it. It is my opinion if you are not enjoying a read by 50 pages or so you should find another read. I have too many other books in my "to read" box from school that I know are enjoyable.
Not recommended
November 23, 2022
This is not at all what I expected! It turns out, Bruchac is part Slovakian, and this is a Slovakian fantasy novel full of castles and princesses and barons and magical creatures. I wasn't at all sure if there was actually going to be a dragon, or if it was just the name of the castle. (And, is there a dragon? you'll have to read it to find out!) I probably would have rated this higher if I had known what to expect from the start.
I know I'm not the intended audience for this book, but I thought it would be a quick, fun read. This was not what I expected!! This started out rather slow, and dull, and it felt like a chore to read. I had to learn the pace, and then it became fun.
I thought I was getting a fantasy novel based on Native American myths, with dragons (somehow). But this is a Slavic-tinged fantasy with barons and castles, etc. The main story is interspersed with "Pavol's legend" and I don't know if it was e-book formatting or writing style or what, but it got confusing juggling Pavol's legend (told in third person, about "the boy" who comes to be known as "Pavol") and the "present day" story of Rashko, Pavol's descendent, told in first person. Both stories seem to be in the same era (although they are not, Pavol's happened long in the past), both about sons of benevolent rulers living in a remote manor house near the lands of Faery.
The blurb mentions "humor" a lot, and the humor is basically Rashko self-importantly misinterpreting a lot of the things happening around him. It was never laugh-out-loud funny for me.
The ending was quite satisfying, with a big exciting fight.
I was left with a lot of questions. How did Pavol learn to use magic? Was it a power always within him or did he need to learn? How did he know which objects to choose for his pouch? Were they magical when he chose them, or did he make them magical after he collected them? How are Rashko and Pavol linked, and does this link exist in everyone in the family, or was Rashko specially singled out? Are Ucta and Odvaha linked to Jedovaty? And my biggest question: how did Rashko learn all about Pavol's story, about Pavol pretending to be the Fool, and still not suspect that his "foolish" family & comrades were perhaps not quite so foolish?
Some of these questions are answered. Others are not. Bruchac is ready for these queries:
I looked up "Hladka Hvorka" and as best as I can tell, it means "smooth talker."
I know I'm not the intended audience for this book, but I thought it would be a quick, fun read. This was not what I expected!! This started out rather slow, and dull, and it felt like a chore to read. I had to learn the pace, and then it became fun.
I thought I was getting a fantasy novel based on Native American myths, with dragons (somehow). But this is a Slavic-tinged fantasy with barons and castles, etc. The main story is interspersed with "Pavol's legend" and I don't know if it was e-book formatting or writing style or what, but it got confusing juggling Pavol's legend (told in third person, about "the boy" who comes to be known as "Pavol") and the "present day" story of Rashko, Pavol's descendent, told in first person. Both stories seem to be in the same era (although they are not, Pavol's happened long in the past), both about sons of benevolent rulers living in a remote manor house near the lands of Faery.
The blurb mentions "humor" a lot, and the humor is basically Rashko self-importantly misinterpreting a lot of the things happening around him. It was never laugh-out-loud funny for me.
The ending was quite satisfying, with a big exciting fight.
I was left with a lot of questions. How did Pavol learn to use magic? Was it a power always within him or did he need to learn? How did he know which objects to choose for his pouch? Were they magical when he chose them, or did he make them magical after he collected them? How are Rashko and Pavol linked, and does this link exist in everyone in the family, or was Rashko specially singled out? Are Ucta and Odvaha linked to Jedovaty? And my biggest question: how did Rashko learn all about Pavol's story, about Pavol pretending to be the Fool, and still not suspect that his "foolish" family & comrades were perhaps not quite so foolish?
Some of these questions are answered. Others are not. Bruchac is ready for these queries:
I don’t need to know the answer to that. If I’ve learned one thing in the last few days it is that every question does not need to be answered. A story is not true just because if its literal veracity. It is the message, what it teaches, that counts.
I looked up "Hladka Hvorka" and as best as I can tell, it means "smooth talker."
July 29, 2022
This was a good read. It’s full of adventures, war, a castle, and a dragon. My 11 y/o nephew brought it from the library for me. He was so excited for me to read it. So I started reading it, but I kept reading it because I really enjoyed it 😁
March 26, 2012
Things I Liked:
I loved the beautiful setting and the lovely Slovak details of this story (probably because I had such a great time visiting the Czech Republic a few years back)! The characters, the folk tale-ish feel of it, all of these things appealed to me. The whole story and atmosphere had me drawn into its details almost from the first. I loved the characters too, how Rashko thinks he's so smart and everyone in his family is moronic - it was very teenage of him. I think the relationships between all members of the family are really interesting, particularly the way our perceptions (and Rashko's too) change toward them is really well done. And the book also manages to have humor! An awesome historical fantasy with an eastern European flavor.
Things I Didn't Like:
Some of the story seemed to drag, the pacing wasn't quite on through the whole book. The flipping back and forth in perspective was annoying sometimes, but I still managed to enjoy it. And a few times I was bothered by the numerous uses of Slovak language (mostly I loved them), which I think will discourage some kids from finishing it. Still, it's a strong fantasy book for those who love castles and magic and folk tales and aren't afraid of those more difficult linguistic details.
Full review at One Librarian's Book Reviews.
I loved the beautiful setting and the lovely Slovak details of this story (probably because I had such a great time visiting the Czech Republic a few years back)! The characters, the folk tale-ish feel of it, all of these things appealed to me. The whole story and atmosphere had me drawn into its details almost from the first. I loved the characters too, how Rashko thinks he's so smart and everyone in his family is moronic - it was very teenage of him. I think the relationships between all members of the family are really interesting, particularly the way our perceptions (and Rashko's too) change toward them is really well done. And the book also manages to have humor! An awesome historical fantasy with an eastern European flavor.
Things I Didn't Like:
Some of the story seemed to drag, the pacing wasn't quite on through the whole book. The flipping back and forth in perspective was annoying sometimes, but I still managed to enjoy it. And a few times I was bothered by the numerous uses of Slovak language (mostly I loved them), which I think will discourage some kids from finishing it. Still, it's a strong fantasy book for those who love castles and magic and folk tales and aren't afraid of those more difficult linguistic details.
Full review at One Librarian's Book Reviews.
January 25, 2012
Rather good overall. I didn't like the switching between times each chapter, as there didn't seem to be enough differentiation between the main characters of each time. I did like the ending (operatically swift in terms of romance, it seemed), especially when the character development/realization I had given up hope on actually came through.
July 6, 2020
I originally gave this book a 4 star rating because of the ending. The ending is a bit rushed and there are some parts that are cheesy and a few plot elements are rushed at the end.
So why did I change it to a 5 star rating?
Well, it all started when I was talking to a coworker of mine during a slow day at work. We had about a couples hours of overtime so we were having a conversation about books since he saw me reading a book at work. (I was reading Hunting Prince Dracula at the time) While we were talking, he asks me what my favorite book was. (You know, the one question you should NEVER ask a book lover) And I thought about it because I love books. There are some books I really liked, some books I liked okay, there were a few book that I didn't much care for, and of course the few books that I absolutely hated.
But of all the books I have read and really liked this book was always in the back of my head. Sure, I loved the Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings franchises but each of those books had a different reason why I liked them.
This book, however, brings me fascination that I can't find anywhere else even though it's not logical or makes any sense.
This book gave me something different from what I had expected when I first read the description of the story. And what's interesting is that it surprised me in a good way. Sure there are some problems but now that I look back on them, they were mostly just nitpicks and nothing seriously wrong with it. Just the rushed ending.
So is this my favorite book? Well, one of my favorite books. It gave me something good to look forward to and it didn't meet my expectations in a good way. If anything, I would say that this book is a guilty pleasure.
Original Review:
Although I don't much care for first person narrative, it was really refreshing to go into the perspective of a young man instead of a woman, which is the case for most YA novels. The inside of the book cover tells us the outline of the main character Prince Rashko. He's smart and the rest of his family, his parents and older brother, are fools.
Looking at this description I thought he was either going to be an arrogant man who didn't like the way his parents ruled so he thinks ill of them or he is really intelligent and his parents are really big idiots. To my surprise, it was neither. Prince Rashko is just a worry-wart with parents and an older brother who are not as paranoid or fretful as he is. As first, I thought I was going to hate this character, but he is extremely likable and hilarious. When he makes a big fuss over the small things, it's funny. When his family reassures him that everything is okay or brush him off it's just too hilarious. His over-the-top protectiveness and cautious personality makes him so interesting. Especially since most male protagonists that I've read are usually impatient, rash, and brave which makes him even more interesting.
The family is also interesting. Rashko's older brother Paulek has the same laid back attitude as his parents but also gets serious when he needs to be. He loves to spar, throw parties, and has complete trust in Rashko. The parents don't fret over the little things and they are wise, kind, and justly rulers even if they don't look like it. They are not in the book a lot so there's not much to say about them but Rashko mentions them a lot.
The other characters are likable as well and also a lot of fun. Georgi is a wise man who notices the danger of the baron and assists Rashko in many ways that he can. Black Yanosh is a badass weapons master, Uncle Jozef and Baba Anya are wise villagers The dogs, Ucta and Odvaha are pretty cool as well.
Aside from the characters the story is pretty good too. An evil baron and his daughter arrive at the castle when the King and Queen are gone. But since Prince Paulek is too enchanted by the baron's daughter's beauty, it's up to Prince Rashko to stop the evil baron's plan and save the castle.
The setup was great because the story went back and forth between Pavol and his descendent Rashko and showed the parallels between the two.
Despite all this there are some problems I had with the book.
One is the setting. It's not that it's bad, it's just a little confusing. It seems like a Slovakian medieval fantasy (which it is suppose to be) so it has dragons, magic, which is fine. But then the book adds things like talking animals, Faerie Folk, and the possibility of vampires.
Uh . . . what?
I can understand dragons and magic but what about the talking animals? And why is Rashko the only one able to communicate with his dogs? Why is he able to heal the plants when they were cut? Is it because of the faerie blood that his mother supposedly has? Okay, that makes sense. So he is able to somehow heal the trees, befriend animals, and use magic but not his brother. Why? What makes him more special than his older brother Paulek? What about the Faerie Folk and the vampires? Are there any other creatures here? Besides a few magic creatures and a few magical abilities we are not given a clear picture on how this fantasy world works.
The other problem is the villain. I'm sorry, but this villain is so bland and forgettable, (Granted, I've read worse) not to mention we don't see a lot of him in the book.
The final issue I have is the ending. It's rushed and a lot of things are just thrown in. For example, based on the title and summary we can assume that the secret is that there is a dragon in the castle, which is cool, but here's the thing: the book doesn't spend much time on the dragon.
There's also this too.
The ending is so . . . rushed.
Besides those three issues I had (the setting, the villain, the ending) I liked this book and the stuff that is good is just really good. Normally I would give this book a 4 star but looking back on it and remembering how much it surprised me, I'll say hell with it and give it a solid 5.
So why did I change it to a 5 star rating?
Well, it all started when I was talking to a coworker of mine during a slow day at work. We had about a couples hours of overtime so we were having a conversation about books since he saw me reading a book at work. (I was reading Hunting Prince Dracula at the time) While we were talking, he asks me what my favorite book was. (You know, the one question you should NEVER ask a book lover) And I thought about it because I love books. There are some books I really liked, some books I liked okay, there were a few book that I didn't much care for, and of course the few books that I absolutely hated.
But of all the books I have read and really liked this book was always in the back of my head. Sure, I loved the Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings franchises but each of those books had a different reason why I liked them.
This book, however, brings me fascination that I can't find anywhere else even though it's not logical or makes any sense.
This book gave me something different from what I had expected when I first read the description of the story. And what's interesting is that it surprised me in a good way. Sure there are some problems but now that I look back on them, they were mostly just nitpicks and nothing seriously wrong with it. Just the rushed ending.
So is this my favorite book? Well, one of my favorite books. It gave me something good to look forward to and it didn't meet my expectations in a good way. If anything, I would say that this book is a guilty pleasure.
Original Review:
Although I don't much care for first person narrative, it was really refreshing to go into the perspective of a young man instead of a woman, which is the case for most YA novels. The inside of the book cover tells us the outline of the main character Prince Rashko. He's smart and the rest of his family, his parents and older brother, are fools.
Looking at this description I thought he was either going to be an arrogant man who didn't like the way his parents ruled so he thinks ill of them or he is really intelligent and his parents are really big idiots. To my surprise, it was neither. Prince Rashko is just a worry-wart with parents and an older brother who are not as paranoid or fretful as he is. As first, I thought I was going to hate this character, but he is extremely likable and hilarious. When he makes a big fuss over the small things, it's funny. When his family reassures him that everything is okay or brush him off it's just too hilarious. His over-the-top protectiveness and cautious personality makes him so interesting. Especially since most male protagonists that I've read are usually impatient, rash, and brave which makes him even more interesting.
The family is also interesting. Rashko's older brother Paulek has the same laid back attitude as his parents but also gets serious when he needs to be. He loves to spar, throw parties, and has complete trust in Rashko. The parents don't fret over the little things and they are wise, kind, and justly rulers even if they don't look like it. They are not in the book a lot so there's not much to say about them but Rashko mentions them a lot.
The other characters are likable as well and also a lot of fun. Georgi is a wise man who notices the danger of the baron and assists Rashko in many ways that he can. Black Yanosh is a badass weapons master, Uncle Jozef and Baba Anya are wise villagers The dogs, Ucta and Odvaha are pretty cool as well.
Aside from the characters the story is pretty good too. An evil baron and his daughter arrive at the castle when the King and Queen are gone. But since Prince Paulek is too enchanted by the baron's daughter's beauty, it's up to Prince Rashko to stop the evil baron's plan and save the castle.
The setup was great because the story went back and forth between Pavol and his descendent Rashko and showed the parallels between the two.
Despite all this there are some problems I had with the book.
One is the setting. It's not that it's bad, it's just a little confusing. It seems like a Slovakian medieval fantasy (which it is suppose to be) so it has dragons, magic, which is fine. But then the book adds things like talking animals, Faerie Folk, and the possibility of vampires.
Uh . . . what?
I can understand dragons and magic but what about the talking animals? And why is Rashko the only one able to communicate with his dogs? Why is he able to heal the plants when they were cut? Is it because of the faerie blood that his mother supposedly has? Okay, that makes sense. So he is able to somehow heal the trees, befriend animals, and use magic but not his brother. Why? What makes him more special than his older brother Paulek? What about the Faerie Folk and the vampires? Are there any other creatures here? Besides a few magic creatures and a few magical abilities we are not given a clear picture on how this fantasy world works.
The other problem is the villain. I'm sorry, but this villain is so bland and forgettable, (Granted, I've read worse) not to mention we don't see a lot of him in the book.
The final issue I have is the ending. It's rushed and a lot of things are just thrown in. For example, based on the title and summary we can assume that the secret is that there is a dragon in the castle, which is cool, but here's the thing: the book doesn't spend much time on the dragon.
There's also this too.
The ending is so . . . rushed.
Besides those three issues I had (the setting, the villain, the ending) I liked this book and the stuff that is good is just really good. Normally I would give this book a 4 star but looking back on it and remembering how much it surprised me, I'll say hell with it and give it a solid 5.
December 17, 2022
I truly enjoyed this one. I thought for a minute that I wouldn’t enjoy it, but as I kept on reading, it turns out that this doesn’t feel like a YA novel-this feels like a novel about a young man wanting to save his home from an evil baron and his daughter, even though it was just him and his brother. His parents were hanging out with the fae under a false invitation, and they came home the moment they heard the younger son’s voice.
This book was a really good fantasy, along with a side of learning Slovak words that I would never care about. It also has a inbetween story about the legend of Pavol the Good, and I had a fear that this tale would take over the novel, but in reality it didn’t. It just enhanced the story as the main character, Rashko, figures out how to fight the evil Baron Temny and his daughter, Poteshenie and her demon cat, Laska. I also liked how the Slovak words were slipped in there, along with the English translation of it, which I was very happy about, because I’ve never read a book like this before.
And the way this book is set up, you wouldn’t believe that Rashko was the only smart boy throughout the series. But as you keep on reading, you realize that he is, but at the same time he loves his family so much that he would do anything to protect them. I liked how in Pavol’s story, he has a pouch on his side and picks up certain things so when it’s time, he uses them to kill the dragons, but only keeps one alive to help protect the castle. And seeing the dragon from the legend was shocking, because I thought he was dead this whole time-not sleeping. But I really enjoyed this book, would highly recommend.
This book was a really good fantasy, along with a side of learning Slovak words that I would never care about. It also has a inbetween story about the legend of Pavol the Good, and I had a fear that this tale would take over the novel, but in reality it didn’t. It just enhanced the story as the main character, Rashko, figures out how to fight the evil Baron Temny and his daughter, Poteshenie and her demon cat, Laska. I also liked how the Slovak words were slipped in there, along with the English translation of it, which I was very happy about, because I’ve never read a book like this before.
And the way this book is set up, you wouldn’t believe that Rashko was the only smart boy throughout the series. But as you keep on reading, you realize that he is, but at the same time he loves his family so much that he would do anything to protect them. I liked how in Pavol’s story, he has a pouch on his side and picks up certain things so when it’s time, he uses them to kill the dragons, but only keeps one alive to help protect the castle. And seeing the dragon from the legend was shocking, because I thought he was dead this whole time-not sleeping. But I really enjoyed this book, would highly recommend.
October 22, 2018
Prince Rashko, who tells the story, knows that his parents, the king and queen, along with his brother, Paulek, who is in line to be king, aren't the smartest people. His parents disppear just before evil Baron Temny shows up with his forces and camps outside the castle walls. Paulek is immediately smitten with his daughter and literally falls under her spell. He invites the Baron and his entourage inside the castle walls as guests. Rashko feels that his brother has invited the enemy in and given away their peaceful kingdom. Does Paulek follow after his father, though? Does he have a plan of his own? When all seems lost, the secret, sleeping deep within the mysterious, magical castle, wakes up and defends the castle. In the end, have the tables been turned on Rashko? The author goes back to his own Slovakian heritage. There is a glossary of Slovak terms used in the story at the back of the book. This is a story that seems straight forward at first, but it twists and transforms in surprising and delightful ways. You'll enjoy it.
December 16, 2018
The strength of this book lies in its tone and its mastery of fairy tale imagery, and the understanding of storytelling through proverbs and allegory. I admit there were a lot of parts that I struggled with, even being a big fan of fairy tales. It was hard for me to get into the rhythm of the alternating chapters that jumped between the past and the present until I was pretty far into the narrative, where they became actually part of the story (the main character was reading his ancestor's history in scrolls) and I wish that had been presented from the beginning. And I found constant dropping in of words in a different language to be very distracting. (I didn't realize until I read the Afterward that the words were actual real Slovak vocabulary and not a fantasy language created for the story.) Despite having a lot of difficulty with some decisions on how the story was presented, it was a great story that gripped me until the end.
May 12, 2018
It definitely grabbed my attention on the shelf. That being said I couldn't find a connection to the characters. That is every bit as important as the story being told. You need me to scream and want to throw the book at something because im in an emotional state over the characters. (I have never actually thrown my books at anything.) It does have potential. Some things could have been fleshed out better and more detail. Someone else may enjoy the book more. This one just will not be added among my favorites.
April 29, 2020
I really liked this, but not for different reasons than I was expecting. There was a surprising lack of dragons in this book with "dragon" in the title (dragons are in maybe a total of 20 pages). So while it wasn't really a book I'd hand to kids hungry for a dragon book, I enjoyed the classic legend feel of the Pavol storyline (although it was a little confusing keeping Pavol and Raschko separate when their storylines were so intentionally similar). I loved Raschoko's exuberant older brother, too--what a great character.
October 22, 2018
Joseph Bruchac explores his Slovakian roots in this juvenile fantasy fiction.
Young Prince Rashko has grown up in a castle with a dragon and a fortune. There are stories about how his ancestor discovered the fortune, the dragon, and built the castle in one day. When his parents are called away, the castle is surrounded by an enemy army. Rashko must discover secrets about the castle's history to save it.
Young Prince Rashko has grown up in a castle with a dragon and a fortune. There are stories about how his ancestor discovered the fortune, the dragon, and built the castle in one day. When his parents are called away, the castle is surrounded by an enemy army. Rashko must discover secrets about the castle's history to save it.
September 24, 2018
Good book overall, this book would be good for the middle school age. I didn't like the switching between times each chapter, as there didn't seem to be enough differentiation between the main characters of each time. I did like the ending though. I wouldn't personally use this book in my classroom but it is a great fantasy book for middle school aged kids to read!
February 5, 2019
Dragon Castle was a very interesting and imaginative story. The main character, Rashko, and his brother Paulek had to protect their kingdom from the evil baron. Rashko used the power and magic of his ancestor, Prince Pavol, to defeat the evil baron and his wife. Rashko had learned a lot about his mysterious ancestor and where to find his magic relics, which he used to defeat the baron.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2020
“I wish I were older. I wish my parents were here. I wish I knew how to make my wishes come true. But I don’t.” (P. 99).
The story was unexpected, the lesson worth remembering and the ending genuinely satisfying. You leave the pages of this book feeling simultaneously a bit wiser- and yet a little more childlike.
The story was unexpected, the lesson worth remembering and the ending genuinely satisfying. You leave the pages of this book feeling simultaneously a bit wiser- and yet a little more childlike.
August 17, 2017
An interesting story about a prince who is more intelligent than the rest of his family. His castle is under siege and his parents are missing. He has two giant wolf-dogs that he can talk with. A simple plot with lots of action, magic and revelation.
May 25, 2019
It was pretty fun. It has a tall tale/legend vibe that you learn in the afterword is purposeful as the book is the author's take on traditional central European legends. The unreliable narrator is pretty funny.
October 31, 2022
Engaging story with a thoughtfully developed main character. Challenges, danger, courage, a subtle principled core, and a bit of tongue-in-cheek, all wrapped up in an Eastern European setting. Well done.
October 18, 2023
Full of delightfully dry humor, and characters so silly you can’t help but love them. It took a bit to get used to the conflicting first person then third person viewpoints, as well as see where the plot was heading, but once I slowed down, the words ran smoothly.
February 10, 2018
There was more depth in this than I thought there would be. Loved it!
October 5, 2019
Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac
This was a okay Teen - YA Book. It is mostly about a Dragon. It is a slow book.
I give this book 4/5 Stars.
Happy Reading :)
This was a okay Teen - YA Book. It is mostly about a Dragon. It is a slow book.
I give this book 4/5 Stars.
Happy Reading :)
May 1, 2020
Really creative story! I loved the ending where it told where the folk tales came from that this story is based on. Fascinating!
November 15, 2025
I thought the plot itself was just average but the inclusion of the author's Slovaian heritage in the kingdom he created was unique.
April 10, 2012
This is a tough one. My CLN Book Club read this selection for the month of April. First off, fantasy is not my favorite genre, so I think I am automatically harder to please when faced with the task of reading a fantasy. I have, however, enjoyed books by Joseph Bruchac in the past - "Code Talker," for instance - though fantasy is not generally his genre either. So, I started in on "Dragon Castle" with less resistance than usual.
Mackin's annotation of the book reads as follows:
"Convinced of his own mental superiority, 15-year-old Rashko is completely fed up with his foolish father, overly innocent mother, and blindly content older brother. He finally gets a chance to test the scope of his intellect when Baron Temny arrives at his family's castle with a small army while his parents are absent. Unsurprised at the fact that his brother provides no help, Rashko is left to defend his home by himself. As the conflict becomes more intense, however, Rashko ends up requiring the help of several supporting characters to achieve victory, allowing him to realize that he may be giving those around him less credit than they deserve."
Though this novel definitely has a middle school vibe, I think there is a little bit of a disconnect in terms of intended audience. First of all, the vocabulary is way above the heads of most middle schoolers (and high schoolers for that matter). Readers will find an abundance of words like "recalcitrant" found on page 147 where Bruchac curiously adds in parentheses, "another word to add to the list." This would be a great read for students preparing for the SAT or ACT, even though the reading level is listed at 5.6 at Mackin. Consider the use of terms like "emblazoned," "aesthetic," "calamity," "obtuseness," and "interminable." Combine this challenging language with names for items unfamiliar to most contemporary teens like "whetstone," as well as an abundance of Slovak terms such as "dvihat" and "vietor" - and a middle schooler is faced with somewhat of a challenging read. Bruchac does provide a list of characters and places, as well as a Slovak glossary - but, because they come at the end of the book, readers might not find them until they have finished with the book.
In addition, the use of a somewhat unreliable, clueless narrator adds another complexity to the story. Though the idea of an unreliable narrator has always fascinated me, and is a great discussion for the ILA classroom, it does add more challenge to the story. The reader figures things out as the narrator does. The addition of Pavol's Legend, told in alternate chapters further complicates matters. Based on the language and use of narration, the book might take a special reader to stick with it. And that is OK. Though the book may not have wide appeal, there is value in the availability of challenging books for middle school readers.
Mackin's annotation of the book reads as follows:
"Convinced of his own mental superiority, 15-year-old Rashko is completely fed up with his foolish father, overly innocent mother, and blindly content older brother. He finally gets a chance to test the scope of his intellect when Baron Temny arrives at his family's castle with a small army while his parents are absent. Unsurprised at the fact that his brother provides no help, Rashko is left to defend his home by himself. As the conflict becomes more intense, however, Rashko ends up requiring the help of several supporting characters to achieve victory, allowing him to realize that he may be giving those around him less credit than they deserve."
Though this novel definitely has a middle school vibe, I think there is a little bit of a disconnect in terms of intended audience. First of all, the vocabulary is way above the heads of most middle schoolers (and high schoolers for that matter). Readers will find an abundance of words like "recalcitrant" found on page 147 where Bruchac curiously adds in parentheses, "another word to add to the list." This would be a great read for students preparing for the SAT or ACT, even though the reading level is listed at 5.6 at Mackin. Consider the use of terms like "emblazoned," "aesthetic," "calamity," "obtuseness," and "interminable." Combine this challenging language with names for items unfamiliar to most contemporary teens like "whetstone," as well as an abundance of Slovak terms such as "dvihat" and "vietor" - and a middle schooler is faced with somewhat of a challenging read. Bruchac does provide a list of characters and places, as well as a Slovak glossary - but, because they come at the end of the book, readers might not find them until they have finished with the book.
In addition, the use of a somewhat unreliable, clueless narrator adds another complexity to the story. Though the idea of an unreliable narrator has always fascinated me, and is a great discussion for the ILA classroom, it does add more challenge to the story. The reader figures things out as the narrator does. The addition of Pavol's Legend, told in alternate chapters further complicates matters. Based on the language and use of narration, the book might take a special reader to stick with it. And that is OK. Though the book may not have wide appeal, there is value in the availability of challenging books for middle school readers.
Read
January 30, 2015My initial, gut reaction to this: OMG, OMG, OMG! THAT WAS SO GOOD!
To begin with the book is beautifully written. It has a sense of humor, a good vocabulary and an exciting plot. Bruchac does a masterful job of working in Slovak phrases and words to add authenticity to the story. Reading the author’s note it appears he did his research into Slovakian folklore and culture, both for the book and out of curiosity about his own heritage.
The story alternates between the story of Rashko and his ancestor, Pavol. It seems likely that at some point the two stories will meet or at the least begin to parallel each other. They don’t quite do either, but they entwine with each other in such a compelling way. Pavol’s story becomes a lesson for Rashko and place for him to find answers about the situation he finds himself in and advice about how to handle it. In Pavol’s adventures and legend you can really see Bruchac’s gift for storytelling and interest in folklore. The fantastic storytelling is there in Rashko’s story too, but it really shines in the details of the legend. Bruchac obviously drew on Slovak legends and the way he weaves details into his own legends is wonderful.
Rashko’s story is incredibly written with perfect pacing, suspense, and excitement. Rashko is such a likable character. While he feels like he has to tolerate his family and their lack of intellect he never sounds like a jerk. He has a great sense of humor that’s a little bit sarcastic and snarky, but not so much that he’s exasperating. However through the course of events he learns that maybe he doesn’t quite have the world as figured out as he thought, especially his family.
The structure of the book (alternating between legend and the present) and to some extent the plot reminded me a lot of The Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud. I also saw similarities in their situation with missing parents and Baron Temny taking over, in the role of magic and the role of the castle with Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George. The book would be totally appropriate for upper elementary, although it’s reading level might be a bit high. Certainly middle schoolers, especially those that love fantasy and folklore, will enjoy this. But it could extend up into high school too. Just an all around good book for most ages.
To begin with the book is beautifully written. It has a sense of humor, a good vocabulary and an exciting plot. Bruchac does a masterful job of working in Slovak phrases and words to add authenticity to the story. Reading the author’s note it appears he did his research into Slovakian folklore and culture, both for the book and out of curiosity about his own heritage.
The story alternates between the story of Rashko and his ancestor, Pavol. It seems likely that at some point the two stories will meet or at the least begin to parallel each other. They don’t quite do either, but they entwine with each other in such a compelling way. Pavol’s story becomes a lesson for Rashko and place for him to find answers about the situation he finds himself in and advice about how to handle it. In Pavol’s adventures and legend you can really see Bruchac’s gift for storytelling and interest in folklore. The fantastic storytelling is there in Rashko’s story too, but it really shines in the details of the legend. Bruchac obviously drew on Slovak legends and the way he weaves details into his own legends is wonderful.
Rashko’s story is incredibly written with perfect pacing, suspense, and excitement. Rashko is such a likable character. While he feels like he has to tolerate his family and their lack of intellect he never sounds like a jerk. He has a great sense of humor that’s a little bit sarcastic and snarky, but not so much that he’s exasperating. However through the course of events he learns that maybe he doesn’t quite have the world as figured out as he thought, especially his family.
The structure of the book (alternating between legend and the present) and to some extent the plot reminded me a lot of The Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud. I also saw similarities in their situation with missing parents and Baron Temny taking over, in the role of magic and the role of the castle with Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George. The book would be totally appropriate for upper elementary, although it’s reading level might be a bit high. Certainly middle schoolers, especially those that love fantasy and folklore, will enjoy this. But it could extend up into high school too. Just an all around good book for most ages.
July 7, 2012
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
The two words in the title were all the encouragement I needed to read Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac. Where there are dragons and castles I shall go. I was taken by surprise by how greatly entertained I was in reading this. It was the perfect mix of light and dark, peril and humor.
Rashko is a bit arrogant and pompous, but no more than most kids are at the age of 15. He makes up for these flaws by being delightfully snarky at the same time. He is convinced that all other members of his family are severely lacking in intelligence. Intelligence he, of course, possesses in abundance.
Why, I sometimes wonder; am I the only one in our family who ever seems to entertain a thought as anything other than a transient visitor? Why is it that when our lord and creator Boh was handing out brains, my parents and my brother apparently got in line behind the hummingbirds? If it were not for my taking charge, nothing would ever get properly done around here.
As the story progresses Rashko begins to see his family members in new and surprising ways and learns to appreciate that their strengths are greater than he realized. As are his weaknesses. This is what I enjoyed most about the book. It isn't just a hero/quest story with dragons and castles and a Dark Lord, it is a story about family and brotherhood.
Rashko's story is intertwined with the legend of his several greats grandfather Pavol. The more the reader and Rashko learn about Pavol the more interesting Rashko's present circumstances get. The fantasy elements are well done and perfect for the reader who enjoys the lighter side of a story. There are moments of peril, battles to be fought, evil to be overcome, but there is just enough hint of the sightly absurd to keep it from being too serious. The dragon is ferocious and vastly entertaining simultaneously. It takes a writer with skills to do that.
Dragon's Castle is a perfect read for anyone looking for a fun adventure story.
The two words in the title were all the encouragement I needed to read Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac. Where there are dragons and castles I shall go. I was taken by surprise by how greatly entertained I was in reading this. It was the perfect mix of light and dark, peril and humor.
Rashko is a bit arrogant and pompous, but no more than most kids are at the age of 15. He makes up for these flaws by being delightfully snarky at the same time. He is convinced that all other members of his family are severely lacking in intelligence. Intelligence he, of course, possesses in abundance.
Why, I sometimes wonder; am I the only one in our family who ever seems to entertain a thought as anything other than a transient visitor? Why is it that when our lord and creator Boh was handing out brains, my parents and my brother apparently got in line behind the hummingbirds? If it were not for my taking charge, nothing would ever get properly done around here.
As the story progresses Rashko begins to see his family members in new and surprising ways and learns to appreciate that their strengths are greater than he realized. As are his weaknesses. This is what I enjoyed most about the book. It isn't just a hero/quest story with dragons and castles and a Dark Lord, it is a story about family and brotherhood.
Rashko's story is intertwined with the legend of his several greats grandfather Pavol. The more the reader and Rashko learn about Pavol the more interesting Rashko's present circumstances get. The fantasy elements are well done and perfect for the reader who enjoys the lighter side of a story. There are moments of peril, battles to be fought, evil to be overcome, but there is just enough hint of the sightly absurd to keep it from being too serious. The dragon is ferocious and vastly entertaining simultaneously. It takes a writer with skills to do that.
Dragon's Castle is a perfect read for anyone looking for a fun adventure story.
January 19, 2012
Looking at the cover I expected a dangerous, sword fighting adventure. Not until the very end. This book is a lot like a long, but clever fable.
Rashko's parents have disappeared and some uninvited,evil guests have settled into their castle. Rashko feels the burden of having to save everyone from impending doom, because his parents and brothers are incapable of recognizing, much less dealing with the danger they are facing. As Rashko tells the story in first person, a parallel tale of his ancestor Pavol is also being told.
Bruchac's writing is always descriptive in a humorous way. I love how Rashko assesses his family's abilities to handle the situation: "Why is it that when the lord and creator Boh was handing out brains, my parents and my brother apparently got in line behind the hummingbirds? If it were not for my taking charge, nothing would probably ever get done around here".
Also, Rashko has the best curse ever "By the head of the dragon"! And his characters continually dole out proverbs which are quite amusing: "You know that proverb, Georgi? Guests and fish start to stink after three days...". That's one of my favorites.
Yes, Bruchac is an entertaining storyteller. However, I often felt like an impatient reader, waiting for the "real" action to begin. This story was very carefully built upon a short exploit or lesson. It wasn't until after reading the final pages, the story really stuck with me, and I fell a little bit in love with the characters and the setting.
I highly recommend reading the author notes first. There is also a cast of characters and Slovak dictionary in the back.
On a sadder note,in a day where there are so many fast paced stories competing with the action and adventure of TV and video games, I can't help but wonder which children will pick this book up and appreciate it for the finely wrought tale that it is?
Rashko's parents have disappeared and some uninvited,evil guests have settled into their castle. Rashko feels the burden of having to save everyone from impending doom, because his parents and brothers are incapable of recognizing, much less dealing with the danger they are facing. As Rashko tells the story in first person, a parallel tale of his ancestor Pavol is also being told.
Bruchac's writing is always descriptive in a humorous way. I love how Rashko assesses his family's abilities to handle the situation: "Why is it that when the lord and creator Boh was handing out brains, my parents and my brother apparently got in line behind the hummingbirds? If it were not for my taking charge, nothing would probably ever get done around here".
Also, Rashko has the best curse ever "By the head of the dragon"! And his characters continually dole out proverbs which are quite amusing: "You know that proverb, Georgi? Guests and fish start to stink after three days...". That's one of my favorites.
Yes, Bruchac is an entertaining storyteller. However, I often felt like an impatient reader, waiting for the "real" action to begin. This story was very carefully built upon a short exploit or lesson. It wasn't until after reading the final pages, the story really stuck with me, and I fell a little bit in love with the characters and the setting.
I highly recommend reading the author notes first. There is also a cast of characters and Slovak dictionary in the back.
On a sadder note,in a day where there are so many fast paced stories competing with the action and adventure of TV and video games, I can't help but wonder which children will pick this book up and appreciate it for the finely wrought tale that it is?
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