Play Book Tag discussion

Highfire by Eoin Colfer - 3* - My Review

This combination of fantasy and crime novel set in the present tells the story of the last remaining dragon, previously known as Wyvern of Highfire, now called Vern, who is at least a hundred fifty years old. He has come down a notch from his previous years of glory, when dragons ruled the sky, and is now living in swamps of Louisiana. He is depressed, lonely, and drinks too much Vodka. Teenager Everett “Squib” Moreau wants to protect his single mother, Elodie, from unwelcome advances by the local corrupt constable, Hook, so he follows Hook to see if he can find incriminating evidence that can be used to keep him at a distance. The plot involves murder, witness to murder, rescue by a dragon, an unlikely friendship, and a violent confrontation with a crime boss and his minions.

It is, of course, not a story to be taken seriously. I enjoyed the creativity of the vodka-swilling dragon and the friendship between the Vern and Squib. Humor is so subjective, and this did not quite work for me (it’s a little too crude for my taste). Those who enjoy over-the-top stories, and don’t mind LOTS of profanity, will probably like it more than I did. On the whole, I found it farcical, but entertaining.