Dragon Rider: Summary and book reviews of Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke, plus links to an excerpt from Dragon Rider and a biography of Cornelia Funke.
Dragon Rider
by Cornelia Funke
Hardcover: Aug 2004,
528 pages.
Paperback: May 2005,
528 pages.
Firedrake, a brave young dragon, his loyal brownie friend Sorrel and a lonely boy called Ben are united as if by destiny. Together, they embark on a magical journey to find the legendary place where silver dragons can live in peace for ever. With only a curious map and the whispered memories of an old dragon to guide them, they fly across moonlit lands and seas to reach the highest mountains in the world.
Along the way, they discover extraordinary new friends in unlikely places and a courage they never knew they had. Just as well, for the greatest enemy of all is never far behind them – a heartless monster from the past who’s been waiting a very long time to destroy the last dragons on earth.
Dragon Rider was a tremendous read - a classic adventure story in which our heroes (a dragon, a boy and a brownie) must complete a long journey and overcome many hurdles to reach their ultimate destination and defeat the dragons' dreaded enemy, before the only remaining population of dragons are destroyed. Whatever others may think, I have to tell you that all four of us (2 adults, 2 children aged 8 and 10) read the story together and we all enjoyed it. The word that keeps coming to mind is 'wholesome'; there's nothing edgy or cynical about it - just good old fashioned story telling that pulls together a cast of elves, dwarves, brownies, a thousand-eyed djinni, a kindly professor of archaeology and his family, a giant roc, a basilist, a sea serpent and a rotund rodent aviatrix.
Media Reviews
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
Funke's story is not short, but it moves quickly and once they are into it, kids will keep the pages flipping. Also, it is nice to have a happy ending. Ages 8 to 12.
School Library Journal - Beth Wright
Gr 4-6-Although each of these confrontations is interesting, the sheer number of episodes, the lack of strong central characters...make for a story with much less dramatic tension than Funke's outstanding novels, The Thief Lord (2002) and Inkheart (2003, both Scholastic).
Kirkus Reviews
This solid adventure lacks the lusciousness of language and intricacy of plot that marked last year's Inkheart, but it does carry the reader along at breakneck pace, the inevitably victorious ending no less satisfying for all its predictability. (Fiction. 8-12)
Publishers Weekly
While readers may have trouble keeping track of all the plot's strands as they soar through this story, they will no doubt find themselves drawn in by the lively characters and their often hilarious banter, as well as the nonstop obstacles they encounter before the inevitable face-off with Nettlebrand. Ages 8-12.
Booklist - Jennifer Mattson
Starred Review. Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. Here's news to quicken the pulses of Funke's many admirers the fantasist's first novel, and her most popular so far in her native Germany, is now available to American readers. Crack open the fat volume, though, and it's instantly clear that this is different from Funke's previous books. With its large type, generous leading, and whimsical line art by the author, it simply looks more like a traditional middle-grade novel. This is a good, old-fashioned ensemble-cast quest in the style of Lloyd Alexander, with a bit of Puff the Magic Dragon added to the mix. What could it be but a winner?
Recent Reader Reviews
Rated of 5
by READREAD123 so awesome This book is the best of all books I have ever read. They are so good. I love this author! IT IS AWESOME MYSTICAL AND FULL OF ADVENTURE!
Rated of 5
by derek AWESOME I loved this book! It is adventurous and mystical.
Rated of 5
by Alexis lounsbury AWESOME!!!!! I think Dragon Rider is an awesome book. Full of adventure, faith and happiness.
Rated of 5
by Stephen Spellbound! Though predictable, this story is solid and enchanting. You get a feel for the characters and each chapter is captivating as the last, making you read it 'til the end in one sitting. This book is perfect for children and adults who are young at... Read More
Rated of 5
by Jane Jones Best book in the UNIVERSE!!! I absolutely love this book. Out of all the characters in all the books I've ever read: Twigleg the homunculus is by far my absolute favorite!!!
Rated of 5
by Jordan Thrill I have read many books written by Cornilia Funke and enjoyed them all, but Dragon Rider was my favorite! Every character they meet and place they land makes to book so much more interesting. The book was a great adventure I went on when I read it.... Read More
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