Dragon Queen

Jayel Gibson

6/13/2007

Ædracmoræ is a world torn asunder into seven different kingdoms now separate from each other. Yávië, Nall, his sister Rydén, Sōrél, and his sister Näeré are Guardians of those worlds. Yávië, Nall, and Rydén are bonded with dragonflytes. Sōrél is the Captain of the Guard and a warrior unbeaten. Näeré is a sorceress. Yávië is the future Dragon Queen - if she can claim the throne.

Over the thousands of years the Guardians watch over the seven kingdoms of Ædracmoræ under the watch of the Ancients. They fight evil wherever they encounter it. At times one or another Guardian is captured or retreats, but eventually another comes to pull the missing or sorrowing one back to their purpose. As Yávië grows stronger, she encounters more obstacles.

One of those obstacles is her sister Aléria who is determined to claim the throne and the heart - or enslavement - of Sōrél. Some of the dragonflytes wish for a twisted future where mankind cannot exist to claim any of the seven kingdoms or for those lands to be reunited into Ædracmoræ. Perhaps the biggest obstacle Yávië faces is her own father, Alandon.

Dragon Queen promises epic young adult fantasy. Jayel Gibson has some excellent storylines in this novel. Unfortunately, there is no depth. Problems encountered are quickly resolved. Gibson alludes to the difficulties of achieving the goal, but glosses over them. Momentous occasions come and go too quickly without enough description. This novel, split into three Books, should have more depth in it. The three books probably should each be their own novel with deeper inspection of the conflict and feelings of the characters.

Michele-Lee Phelan's artwork fits the story well. I would have liked to have seen some of the scenes depicted by her throughout the book. The pen and ink drawings include the fantasy that Gibson brings to this novel.

In Book Three Yávië is trying to bring Ædracmoræ back together while fighting off her mad father and evil sister. This is the best drawn of the three books but still is flat. Gibson put too much into this novel - her hopes too lofty. The novel is over 550 pages but needs to be longer. Instead of overreaching, Gibson would have done better to just take the first of these Books and developed the story as it calls for. The promise of Dragon Queen is there: the delivery isn't.

You can find more about this book at .

Provided for review