Bentwhistle the Dragon
in a Threat From the Past
By
Paul Cude
Publisher:
Authors Online
Published:
Nov. 22, 2011
ISBN:
9780755206780
Amazon Synopsis:
Bentwhistle the Dragon in A Threat from the Past
is an adventure story children and adults alike will love, about the present
day world in which dragons disguised as humans have infiltrated the human race
at almost every level, to guide and protect them.
Three young dragons in their human guises become caught up in an evil plot to steal a precious commodity, vital to the dragon community. How will the reluctant hero and his friends fare against an enemy of his race from far in the past?
Fascinating insights into the dragon world are interspersed throughout the book. Ever wondered how dragons travel below ground at almost the speed of sound? Or how they use magical mantras
Three young dragons in their human guises become caught up in an evil plot to steal a precious commodity, vital to the dragon community. How will the reluctant hero and his friends fare against an enemy of his race from far in the past?
Fascinating insights into the dragon world are interspersed throughout the book. Ever wondered how dragons travel below ground at almost the speed of sound? Or how they use magical mantras
to transform their giant bodies into convincing human
shapes?
In an action packed adventure that features both human and dragon sports, you’ll get a dragon-like perspective on human social issues and insight into what to do if you meet a giant spider grinning at you when you’re wearing nothing but your smile!
You’d be flamin’ mad to miss it.
In an action packed adventure that features both human and dragon sports, you’ll get a dragon-like perspective on human social issues and insight into what to do if you meet a giant spider grinning at you when you’re wearing nothing but your smile!
You’d be flamin’ mad to miss it.
My Thoughts:
This was an imaginative novel about a society of
dragons that live in the present day on the earth and under the earth with the
purpose of taking care of the human population (without the knowledge of the
humans of course). I love the idea that the dragons live among us..
The story revolves around three dragons, Peter,
Tank and Richie, who live and work on the surface in “mutatio” or human form. It
begins with George and his heroic killing (apparent) and removal of a dragon
from a town sometime in the past during a time of knights. We later that this
is a ‘true’ story being told to some young dragons in the nursery rings, where
Peter, one of the main protagonists has gone to visit.
The dragon world exists under the human world
with most large dragon cities corresponding to large human cities above.
Dragons have access to the surface through secret entrances in various public
sites and in their homes. The dragon world is quite fascinating and the routes
down to their world sometimes resembles something of a rollercoaster ride (I’ll
bet humans would love it too!). I really liked the creativity of the author in
his creation the dragon world. It is a fascinating place he has created with
lava fountains and lakes, environmentally friendly transportation and sometime
unique building materials.
Sometimes the story seemed to go off on a bit of
a tangent as some of the sports that the humans/dragons were involved in as the
author went in depth in describing some of the matches that the protagonists
either watched or were involved in. However, these sports were important to
both the protagonists and the author. For children and youth who love sports,
this might be a draw for them to pick up the book to read.
The author created very likeable protagonists
with few vices. They don’t smoke and they don’t do drugs. Peter doesn’t drink at
all as he doesn’t see the point in the silliness and sickness that alcohol can
cause. They do swear some (“hell” and “god” mainly) but they also have a good
work ethic and display good sportsmanship.
The mystery of who Mr. Manson is, and why Peter feels
there is something evil about him, and what Manson is doing at Cropptech, the
company where Peter and Richie work, is quite well done. Peter finds himself in
the position of having to solve this mystery. He is a believable unlikely hero
Paul Cude took put a lot of thought into this
novel, so much so, that he even made a play on words in the titles of his
chapters. They were just a fun, quirky little addition. An example? Chapter 1 –
“Dragon Sleighing”. Since the chapter is about defeating a dragon, you’d think
the title should be “Dragon Slaying”. However, “Dragon Sleighing” is the title
because the carry the dragon carcass away on a sleigh. Cude is a “pun-ny” man.
This book was an entertaining read for
middle-grade students (ages 9-12) and up, or for parents to read to their children.
It’s also suitable for young-at-heart adults. I gave this book 3 stars.
Thank you to the author, Paul Cude for providing
a copy of his book for a fair and honest review. I was not required to write a
positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Paul Cude was born in Southampton, Hampshire,
England in 1968. As a small child he moved to Salisbury, and as a much older
child (12) developed a fanatical interest in playing field hockey - something
he is still obsessed about to this very day.
A
photocopier, fax and printer engineer for many years, redundancy allowed him
the privilege of becoming a full time house husband, watching and shaping his
two fantastic children as they progress in life. Married to a beautiful wife,
he likes nothing more than days out with her and the children.
On the odd occasion that free time presents
itself, he likes playing field hockey, taking computers apart (sometimes
putting them back together again, occasionally sucessfully) and of course
writing.
Paul has spent over a year working as a teaching
assistant in a wonderful school, a job he enjoys more than any he has ever had.
Contact Paul Cude:
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