A Good Read to Begin the Year

Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton

My rating:  5 of 5 stars

Janet McNaughton has crafted a beautiful world in Dragon Seer.  As readers, we feel that we are there with Madoca as she navigates the landscape and the challenges she faces.  Dragon Seer has something for everyone: mystery, adventure, magic, dragons, history.  Most remarkable of all, though, is McNaughton's character development.  Her characters are fully formed human beings (or dragons).  They use their strengths to their advantage and, like the rest of us, sometimes their weaknesses get the better of them.

Madoca is given in desperation as a slave by her father after her mother and baby brother die.  Annoc, just two years older than Madoca, becomes her mistress.  The house to which Madoca is enslaved is exceptionally cruel and Madoca endures many hard years in this unfortunate position.  As Dragon Seer opens, the family is at The Gathering.  Here, the next Dragon Seer will be chosen.  Annoc is confidently hopeful that she will be chosen.  Madoca is also hopeful for change.  When the dragon appears, however, it is Madoca who is chosen.  Annoc's family is forced to release her so that she can take her place among the dragon seers.  Thus begins Madoca's journey of self-discovery.

As we travel along with Madoca and delve into this rich landscape, we come to appreciate our own strengths and shortcomings.  When we see the errors made through pride and arrogance, and the gains made through a true listening to ourselves and the world around us, do we not wonder what this means back here is the real world?

As we begin a new calendar year, everyone is busy with their resolutions - to lose weight, to get in shape, to save money.  At this time, we also need to look into our own characters.  Do we treat others kindly and with respect?  How do we settle our differences?  As we learn from Dragon Seer, we don't always get what we think we want.  When we come to accept ourselves and our situation, we can make what we get, what we want.  We can make the best of our situation - and make the best of ourselves.

This is my first book of my 2011 Book Challenge.  I hope you will join me in a year of reading.  And come back often to see what else I have been reading - and, hopefully, what the kids have been reading!

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