Dragonswood

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Dial Books
Publication Date
[2012]
Language
English

Description

On Wilde Island, there is no peace between dragons, fairies, and humans.

Wilde Island is in an uproar over the recent death of its king. As the uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans begins to fray, the royal witch hunter with a hidden agenda begins a vengeful quest to burn girls suspected of witchcraft before a new king is crowned..

Strong-willed Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet, wants more for herself than a husband and a house to keep. But in times like these wanting more can be dangerous. Accused of witchery, Tess and her two friends are forced to flee the violent witch hunter. As their pursuer draws ever closer they find shelter with a huntsman in the outskirts of the forbidden Dragonswood sanctuary. But staying with the mysterious huntsman poses risks of its own: Tess does not know how to handle the attraction she feels for himor resist the elusive call that draws her deeper onto the heart of Dragonswood.

More Details

ISBN
9780803735040

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Also in this Series

  • Dragon's keep (Wilde Island chronicles Volume 1) Cover
  • Dragonswood (Wilde Island chronicles Volume 2) Cover
  • In the time of dragon moon (Wilde Island chronicles Volume 3) Cover

Author Notes

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These dragon-filled fantasy series are perfect for fantasy fans who want romance and complex plots along with strong willed, magical heroines and richly detailed worlds. Both of these series focus on heroines discovering their true identity. -- Alina Gerall
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the theme "for the resistance"; the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "dragons," "prophecies," and "secrets."
These series have the appeal factors world-building and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "teenage girls" and "secrets."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "prophecies," "secrets," and "imaginary kingdoms."
These series have the appeal factors world-building and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; the subject "secrets"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; the subjects "prophecies," "secrets," and "imaginary kingdoms"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These series have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "prophecies," "teenage girls," and "secrets."
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Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These books have the appeal factors romantic, and they have the theme "faerie realm"; the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "seventeen-year-old girls," "magic," and "fairies."
These books have the appeal factors romantic and evocative, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "seventeen-year-old girls," "magic," and "secrets."
These books have the appeal factors romantic, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "seventeen-year-old girls," "magic," and "teenage girls."
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Both of these richly-detailed, romantic fantasies feature strong-willed, enchanted 17-year-old girls accused of witchcraft in imaginary English settings where the fairy folk dwell: Briony in the Edwardian Swampsea (Chime) and Tess in the medieval Dragonswood. -- Julie Corsaro
These books have the appeal factors lyrical and evocative, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "seventeen-year-old girls," "magic," and "teenage girls."
These books have the appeal factors romantic and gritty, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "seventeen-year-old girls," "magic," and "dragons."
These books have the appeal factors romantic and evocative, and they have the genres "historical fantasy" and "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "seventeen-year-old girls" and "teenage girls."
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Rebel of the sands - Hamilton, Alwyn
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NoveList recommends "Seraphina" for fans of "Wilde Island chronicles". Check out the first book in the series.
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Similar Authors From NoveList

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These authors' works have the subjects "dragons," "inheritance and succession," and "princesses."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building and intensifying, and they have the genre "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "dragons," "prophecies," and "mothers and daughters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genre "historical fantasy"; and the subjects "prophecies," "rulers," and "quests."
These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the subjects "prophecies," "princesses," and "rulers."
These authors' works have the subjects "dragons," "inheritance and succession," and "princesses."
These authors' works have the genre "historical fantasy"; and the subjects "prophecies," "siblings," and "quests."
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These authors' works have the appeal factors world-building, and they have the genre "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "prophecies," "siblings," and "rulers."
These authors' works have the genre "historical fantasy"; and the subjects "dragons," "mothers and daughters," and "rulers."
These authors' works have the genre "historical fantasy"; and the subjects "dragons," "prophecies," and "quests."
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Published Reviews

Booklist Review

The Dragonswood is off-limits, but Tess, who sees visions in firelight, is inexorably drawn there. Wrongly accused as witches, she and two friends escape into the forbidden heart of Wilde Island. There, Tess meets an intriguing huntsman named Garth and discovers she is destined to be more than a blacksmith's daughter. In a nod to Robin Hood, the island's rightful heir is off fighting in the Crusades, while a regent is doing his best to take over the throne. Humans, fairies, and dragons coexist in the lush setting (first introduced in Dragon's Keep, 2007), which is so well drawn it practically serves as another character. As Franny Billingsley did in Chime (2011), Carey uses gorgeous, lyrical prose to illustrate a world of authentic period detail combined with fantastical elements. Although the supporting characters, especially the dragons, are well drawn, a first-person point of view keeps the focus squarely on Tess and her journey. This novel, a cross between fantasy and historical fiction, also has a touch of romance and will likely appeal to fans of many genres.--Osborne, Charli Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-Set on Wilde Island a generation after Dragon's Keep (Harcourt, 2007), this story continues with a perfectly crafted combination of history, mythology, and fantasy. King Pendragon has died, and while the island waits for his eldest son to return from the Crusades, the power-hungry Lord Sackmore is becoming more and more of a threat to the future king. When Lady Adela, the witch hunter, comes to their little town, Tess and her two friends stand accused. Through their wits and the unexpected assistance of a dragon, they escape and flee into Dragonswood, which, although forbidden, is safer than the certain death they face at home. The tenuous peace among the humans, dragons, and fairies on the island is being threatened, and Tess, Poppy, and Meg seem caught in the middle. Tess has been keeping her fire-sight visions secret and it turns out that she is not the only one with secrets to keep. When one of the king's woodwards takes them in and offers them shelter, Tess cannot deny her feelings for him, even as she fears him and suspects that he has secrets of his own. The political intrigue, mythology of Merlin, and romances that bloom are all uncovered with precise timing and will have readers racing toward the end and then going back to savor the events more slowly. The story is complexly satisfying on its own, but readers will want to go back for Dragon's Keep as well and will look forward to the future of Wilde Island.-Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

Accused of witchcraft in the midst of political unrest, Tess escapes execution--and a life of beatings. Befriending Wilde Island's missing prince and discovering her half-fairy parentage, Tess throws herself into danger for friends and country. Carey avoids every pitfall of her premise; the narrative benefits from excellent prose, a tough heroine, and few easy answers. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

Dragon's Keep (2007), while standing complete on its own. Tess has known little in her 17 years but brutality, grief and fear: the angry fists of her blacksmith father, the infant graves of her siblings and the ominous prophetic visions she sees in flames. As Wilde Island teeters toward political collapse and a vicious witch-hunter sets her sights on Tess, she and her friends flee into Dragonswood, the forbidden abode of dragons and the fey folk. Even as they find refuge with a secretive woodward, the fairies keep calling to Tess as if they had a duty only she could fulfill. Despite the romantic cover and lush, poetic prose, this is no adventure for the squeamish. Tess does not shy away from graphic descriptions of beatings, torture and grisly violence--and subtler betrayals, manipulation and callous disregard--that leave her scarred in body and soul. Yet for all her mistrust, self-loathing and cringing expectation of blows, Tess reveals a surprising strength and unflinching loyalty. While she does not extend an unrealistic forgiveness, she finds the courage to work with her abusers towards a greater goal; her tentative, hesitant love for the one person who treats her with kindness and respect is both touching and achingly bittersweet. Painful, cathartic and cautiously hopeful; a fairy tale for those who have given up on believing in them, but still yearn for happily ever after. (Fantasy. 14 up) ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

The Dragonswood is off-limits, but Tess, who sees visions in firelight, is inexorably drawn there. Wrongly accused as witches, she and two friends escape into the forbidden heart of Wilde Island. There, Tess meets an intriguing huntsman named Garth and discovers she is destined to be more than a blacksmith's daughter. In a nod to Robin Hood, the island's rightful heir is off fighting in the Crusades, while a regent is doing his best to take over the throne. Humans, fairies, and dragons coexist in the lush setting (first introduced in Dragon's Keep, 2007), which is so well drawn it practically serves as another character. As Franny Billingsley did in Chime (2011), Carey uses gorgeous, lyrical prose to illustrate a world of authentic period detail combined with fantastical elements. Although the supporting characters, especially the dragons, are well drawn, a first-person point of view keeps the focus squarely on Tess and her journey. This novel, a cross between fantasy and historical fiction, also has a touch of romance and will likely appeal to fans of many genres. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.
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School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 7 Up—Set on Wilde Island a generation after Dragon's Keep (Harcourt, 2007), this story continues with a perfectly crafted combination of history, mythology, and fantasy. King Pendragon has died, and while the island waits for his eldest son to return from the Crusades, the power-hungry Lord Sackmore is becoming more and more of a threat to the future king. When Lady Adela, the witch hunter, comes to their little town, Tess and her two friends stand accused. Through their wits and the unexpected assistance of a dragon, they escape and flee into Dragonswood, which, although forbidden, is safer than the certain death they face at home. The tenuous peace among the humans, dragons, and fairies on the island is being threatened, and Tess, Poppy, and Meg seem caught in the middle. Tess has been keeping her fire-sight visions secret and it turns out that she is not the only one with secrets to keep. When one of the king's woodwards takes them in and offers them shelter, Tess cannot deny her feelings for him, even as she fears him and suspects that he has secrets of his own. The political intrigue, mythology of Merlin, and romances that bloom are all uncovered with precise timing and will have readers racing toward the end and then going back to savor the events more slowly. The story is complexly satisfying on its own, but readers will want to go back for Dragon's Keep as well and will look forward to the future of Wilde Island.—Genevieve Gallagher, Charlottesville High School, VA

[Page 108]. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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