Wilde Island is not at peace. The kingdom mourns the dead Pendragon king and awaits the return of his heir; the uneasy pact between dragons, fairie...
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Dec 11, 2011
Tatiana
rated it: 
Dragonswood is a solid teen fantasy that lacks just a little bit of that special something that makes you want to treasure and read a book over and over again.
The story is set in 12th century Wilde Island (England?) The narrator, 17-year old Tess, is a daughter of an abusive blacksmith. Tess dreams of being free of her father and living alone somewhere alone and supporting herself. But those are not the right times for such dreams. Single women are open for abuse and accusations of More...
The story is set in 12th century Wilde Island (England?) The narrator, 17-year old Tess, is a daughter of an abusive blacksmith. Tess dreams of being free of her father and living alone somewhere alone and supporting herself. But those are not the right times for such dreams. Single women are open for abuse and accusations of More...
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Nov 29, 2011
Michelle
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Dragonswood is basically a medieval fantasy. There are witch burnings right along with fairies and dragons. The Dragonswood is a sanctuary for all magical creatures. It was set up during the time of Queen Rosalinda (see Dragon's Keep). The old king has died and the heir is away fighting the crusades. The peace between humans and magical creatures is fraying. The main character Tess is drawn to Dragonswood even though going inside of the boundaries is forbidden. She keeps a dangerous secre
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Feb 21, 2012
Haley
rated it: 
I can honestly say that I loved this book. The characters were believable and the plot was as well (as far as can be in a fantasy novel). I greatly appreciated the fact that Tess was not what one would call a "Mary Sue." She deeply betrays her friends, and she spends the majority of her time trying to atone for this fact. The writing was consistent and at a level that was both easy to read and intellectual. My only complaints are that the end third of the book was rushed.
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Feb 12, 2012
Paradoxical
rated it:
Mixed feelings about this book. Tess has had a hard life, beaten by her father, and now accused of being a witch and tortured. She breaks under the torture, and has to escape with two of her friends. Along the way she meets a huntsman, Garth, as well as dragons and faeries.
I think that I was mostly tired of how hard Tess's life has been, and how much she focused on the abuse and the harder things in life, even as I understood that of course it was like this. Everything someone did r More...
I think that I was mostly tired of how hard Tess's life has been, and how much she focused on the abuse and the harder things in life, even as I understood that of course it was like this. Everything someone did r More...
Feb 08, 2012
Donna
rated it: 
WOW, wonderful, fantabulous, unique and amazing. Get the idea? The was a fantastic book. It contained dragons (always a favorite of mine) Fey (fairies) and humans. Not just any humans but descendants of Arthur Pendragon...remember him? King Arthur? Witchhunts, crusades and wonderful characters made this a compelling book to read. I couldn't wait to finish to find out what happens to Tess, but it was bittersweet when I turned the last page. I realized I didn't want it to end.
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Feb 08, 2012
If you're a fan of high fantasy (or even just considering giving it a try!) this is a book you don't want to miss. It has it all... kings and dragons and faeries and enchanted forests and quests and all kinds of awesome. I liked Janet Lee Carey's Dragon's Keep but this one just blew me away.
I loved the world that Janet Lee Carey creates in her stories. Wilde Island and Dragonswood need to be real places so I can visit them! The descriptions were just right... you got a feel fo More...
I loved the world that Janet Lee Carey creates in her stories. Wilde Island and Dragonswood need to be real places so I can visit them! The descriptions were just right... you got a feel fo More...
Feb 05, 2012
Book Whales
rated it:
Originally posted @ Book Whales
A prophecy that will change everything.
Dragonswood weaves its spell on me. It’s a colorful fantasy world with Dragons and Fairies. The cover is beautiful and the world building is unique and intriguing. I was compelled from start to finish. I completely devoured this book.
Tess is the main character; she is strong and clever. She is gifted with a sight, which she deeply kept hidden. She was drawn to the mystical forest, but before More...
A prophecy that will change everything.
Dragonswood weaves its spell on me. It’s a colorful fantasy world with Dragons and Fairies. The cover is beautiful and the world building is unique and intriguing. I was compelled from start to finish. I completely devoured this book.
Tess is the main character; she is strong and clever. She is gifted with a sight, which she deeply kept hidden. She was drawn to the mystical forest, but before More...
Feb 05, 2012
Meghan
rated it:
Wow. Just wow. I had no idea going into this book that it was going to suck me in so thoroughly. I even went out of my way to read the back of the book and the inside flap and I was still completely unprepared for what I encountered. One of the blurbs from the back of the book calls this “fantasy at its best” and I’m here to tell you, they’re totally right. There are magic and fey, will-o’-the-wisps and huntsman, witches and witch hunters, crusades, dragons, and my personal favorite…the Pen
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Feb 02, 2012
Claire
rated it:
Starts slow with a strong finish; as I read I kept thinking of Dragon’s Keep, finally I got it. This is a continuation of Rosalind’s story. Her tale of sanctuary for magical beings and humans on Wilde Isle, is now in jeopardy as a power hungry regent controls the island while the crown prince is away at the crusades.
Tess, a maiden in this land has grown up in a village where she must hide her magical sight and avoid the attention of witch hunters that plague the land. Living under the More...
Tess, a maiden in this land has grown up in a village where she must hide her magical sight and avoid the attention of witch hunters that plague the land. Living under the More...
Jan 07, 2012
Suz
rated it:
Dragonswood is a dark alluring powerfully epic high fantasy filled with wonderfully delicious hidden secrets, intrigue, and enchanting mystical realms that will leave readers breathless. From the start, it is deeply compelling and masterfully written, filled with wonderfully developed characters and dangerous action-packed trials facing them. Carey exudes stunning world building skills and introduces a unique spin on fulfilled prophecies. It is a lively mystical tale unlike any other that has co
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Dec 29, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
Beautifully crafted and atmospheric, Dragonswood is one of those stories we can see and feel clearly without a great deal of detailed description, the small town in which Tess resides and the mystical surrounding forest appearing easily in our minds as each word seems to have a corresponding frame for the moving picture taking place in our heads. Though we aren’t given much history with regard to the rather tenuous truce between dragon, human, and fairy, it doesn’t detract from our overall enjoy
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Dec 05, 2011
Kristi-The Book Faery
rated it:
THE FAERYS VIEW
Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey was an absolute delight to read. I spent the entire day reading it and then late into the night until I sighed in contentment at the last page. This doesn’t mean that I don’t foresee a sequel in the future, though! I absolutely Loved this novel!
Tess lives with her mother and blacksmith father in the small village of Harrowton on Wilde Island, the year is 1192. Tess’s life is one of physical & emotional abuse by her drunken fat More...
Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey was an absolute delight to read. I spent the entire day reading it and then late into the night until I sighed in contentment at the last page. This doesn’t mean that I don’t foresee a sequel in the future, though! I absolutely Loved this novel!
Tess lives with her mother and blacksmith father in the small village of Harrowton on Wilde Island, the year is 1192. Tess’s life is one of physical & emotional abuse by her drunken fat More...
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Nov 22, 2011
Sarah
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Carey revisits the Pendragon royal lineage through Queen Rosalind’s grandsons, one of whom is soon to be named king. Queen Rosalind was the character from Dragon's Keep. Pendragon's are the only royalty with Dragon blood flowing through their veins. Now that a new king is set to be named, all of Wilde Island is fretting over the crumbling pact between humans, dragons and fey. Fey legend foretells that a Pendragon prince will marry a fairy child and their union will bind fey, dragons and humans i
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Aug 30, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
This book has ruined all other books for me! Nothing I think will top this book in 2012 when it is released! It was absolutely mind boggling. I love where it takes place and the time period!
Lets start with Tess. She is a strong girl. She has a horrible stepfather who beats her and her mother. She also is someone who is confident in some ways but vulnerable where it counts. She is just a kickass character who blew me away. I was so surprised by this book and the characters that I am r More...
Lets start with Tess. She is a strong girl. She has a horrible stepfather who beats her and her mother. She also is someone who is confident in some ways but vulnerable where it counts. She is just a kickass character who blew me away. I was so surprised by this book and the characters that I am r More...
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Oct 18, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Tess is the daughter of the local blacksmith at Wilde Island, who sees visions and finds herself drawn to the dangerous, yet mysterious wood outside her protected village known as the Dragonswood, which has long been rumored to contain fairies, dragons and other kinds of fey. But after Tess succumbs to her desire to visit the wood, she is accused of being a witch. After running away from the town with her two best friends, also accused of being witches, Tess is taken in by a handsome huntsman wh
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Jan 17, 2012
Kristen
rated it:
GENRE: YA Fantasy
THEME: Fae, Witches, Dragons
RECEIVED: For Review from Teen Book Scene
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
I was immediately compelled by this magical story of talking dragons, fae and an unknown destiny for one young girl. Janet Lee Carey wrote a young adult fantasy novel that was beautifully written with well-developed characters and a unique world.
Dragonswood follows Tess, a young girl that is pushed into a dangerous de More...
THEME: Fae, Witches, Dragons
RECEIVED: For Review from Teen Book Scene
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
I was immediately compelled by this magical story of talking dragons, fae and an unknown destiny for one young girl. Janet Lee Carey wrote a young adult fantasy novel that was beautifully written with well-developed characters and a unique world.
Dragonswood follows Tess, a young girl that is pushed into a dangerous de More...
Jan 05, 2012
DRAGONSWOOD, by Janet Lee Carey, is a romantic fantasy tale filled with princes, dragons, and the fey. I absolutely adored this book and it definitely set 2012 off with a great start!
Tess and her two friends, Meg and Poppy, are said to be witches and face being burned at the stake. They flee to save their lives and disguise themselves in the mysterious Dragonswood. They meet Garth, a huntsman who works for the kingdom and hide with him for a bit. The funny thing is that Tess has seen h More...
Tess and her two friends, Meg and Poppy, are said to be witches and face being burned at the stake. They flee to save their lives and disguise themselves in the mysterious Dragonswood. They meet Garth, a huntsman who works for the kingdom and hide with him for a bit. The funny thing is that Tess has seen h More...
Oct 17, 2011
Becca
rated it:
I literally finished this book about 3 minutes ago and gave it 3 stars because I really don't know what to think of it so please bear with me as I try to explain. In the beginning of the book I was intrigued because I liked the attitude of the main character, Tess, an independent thinker in a very dependent situation and her longing for a different life. As the next few chapters progressed I became wary. I was reminded of the young adult novel Chima, because it felt like a world (medieval full o
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Dec 13, 2011
Karissa
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I got an advanced reading copy of this book to review through the Librarything Early Reviewer's program. This was an absolutely stunning book. I loved it from page one and couldn't put it down, I was sad when I finished it because I wanted to read more. This is the second book written by Carey that takes place in this world, but the story is a separate story from the first book (Dragon's Keep) and stand very well on it's own. I never read the first book but now I really want to.
Tes More...
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Dec 12, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Originally posted at Beneath the Jacket
I, Angie, am calling out Dragonswood as a must read for fantasy fans. I loved every minute of it. Dragonswood made me remember why fantasy is my favorite genre and has given me a kick in the pants to read more. Why did I ever stop? Oh yeah, because most YA authors stopped writing it (except for the rare few, of course). Dragonswood made me nostalgic for the high fantasies I read as a teenager.
Carey does a great job of synthesizing fantas More...
I, Angie, am calling out Dragonswood as a must read for fantasy fans. I loved every minute of it. Dragonswood made me remember why fantasy is my favorite genre and has given me a kick in the pants to read more. Why did I ever stop? Oh yeah, because most YA authors stopped writing it (except for the rare few, of course). Dragonswood made me nostalgic for the high fantasies I read as a teenager.
Carey does a great job of synthesizing fantas More...
Jan 12, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
Wilde Island is a kingdom that is mourning their dead Pendragon king and are awaiting the return of his heir. It is a magical island where the pact between dragons, fairies, and humans are strained and on top of this there is a bloodthirsty witch hunt, burning innocent accused maidens.
Tess,abused by her father, has fire-visions of the future, but has kept this quiet. She is also drawn to the forbidden Dragonswood,home to the fey and dragons. Still still is unexpectedly accused of witchcraf More...
Tess,abused by her father, has fire-visions of the future, but has kept this quiet. She is also drawn to the forbidden Dragonswood,home to the fey and dragons. Still still is unexpectedly accused of witchcraf More...
Feb 16, 2012
Anna
rated it:
Tess has always known there was something different about her from everyone else in her small village. She can see visions of the future in fire sometimes. She has always been very careful to keep this a secret, but when a witch hunter comes to town and Tess stands accused, her only option is to run for her life. If only Tess hadn't gone into the Dragonswood to escape her abusive Father, the place everyone believes to be cursed and a sanctuary for witches and other evils. In reality it is la
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Oct 16, 2011
Andi
rated it:
Dragonswood is about a girl named Tess who sees vision of the future when looking into the fires. After her baby brother’s death, accusations cause Tess to be accused as a witch. Tortured, and with her death imminent, Tess is forced to flee her home. Along with Tess are her two best friends, whom have no choice but to come with her on the journey. The girls are forced to hide, and eventually stumble upon the Dragonswood guardian Garth. Garth is the man Tess has seen in her visions, an
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Nov 14, 2011
Teri
rated it:
Only Witches go to dance in the Dragonswood, the land of fey and dragons.
Dragonswood is an amazing debut by author Janet Lee Carey that will Dazzle the reader with a mystical world filled with wonder, and hunters.
There is a witch hunt happening, and neighbor turn against neighbor as the times are harder and food is leaner. With the death of a king, and a prince scouring the lands for stolen royal jewels and treasure lost, a kindgom is falling apart and while the knights h More...
Dragonswood is an amazing debut by author Janet Lee Carey that will Dazzle the reader with a mystical world filled with wonder, and hunters.
There is a witch hunt happening, and neighbor turn against neighbor as the times are harder and food is leaner. With the death of a king, and a prince scouring the lands for stolen royal jewels and treasure lost, a kindgom is falling apart and while the knights h More...
Jan 09, 2012
Sanette
rated it:
I needed to sleep on this book for a few nights before I could review it and I now my 5 star has changed to a 4. I liked this book, but I felt so detached from all the characters. Like I was watching from the outside and could not reach in and feel what they were feeling. Every time a scene the was gearing up to be climatic would come along, suddenly the suspense died out and she changed subjects. So I was brought to the edge and then couldn't go all the way. It was frustrating.
How More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Meaghan
rated it:
I am a huge fan of dragons; this is a pretty well-known fact. So I saw this book and immediately had to have it. While the dragons are not the main focus of the story, they still play a large role in it and I loved seeing Janet’s take on how dragons would be in this world.
Dragonswood follows the life of Tess. She lives with her mother and abusive father and longs for something more. She is not quite sure what she is missing, but knows she is not happy with her life now. She also wan More...
Dragonswood follows the life of Tess. She lives with her mother and abusive father and longs for something more. She is not quite sure what she is missing, but knows she is not happy with her life now. She also wan More...
Feb 11, 2012
Jessica
rated it:
Read full review at Cracking the Cover
In the tradition of the Arthur tales of old, “Dragonswood” feels medieval with a touch of dragons thrown in for good measure.
Wilde Island is in turmoil. The Pendragon king has died and his heir is fighting in the crusades. Until he returns, a regent rules in his stead and the pact between dragons, fairies and humans becomes more strained. Further taxing the pact, is the regent’s desire to rid the land of half-fey maidens, or what he calls witc More...
In the tradition of the Arthur tales of old, “Dragonswood” feels medieval with a touch of dragons thrown in for good measure.
Wilde Island is in turmoil. The Pendragon king has died and his heir is fighting in the crusades. Until he returns, a regent rules in his stead and the pact between dragons, fairies and humans becomes more strained. Further taxing the pact, is the regent’s desire to rid the land of half-fey maidens, or what he calls witc More...
Feb 11, 2012
Julia
rated it:
A wonderful enchanting YA tale!
All the characters were unique as was the story itself. I didn't feel like I was reading the same story with different names, which is usually how I feel nowadays with YA.
Tess is a wonderful female character. She's headstrong, brave and would never abandon her friends, which makes me like her even more. Her only wish is to fit in somewhere and have a person truly understand her.
The story was brilliant but I was a tad upset about how t More...
All the characters were unique as was the story itself. I didn't feel like I was reading the same story with different names, which is usually how I feel nowadays with YA.
Tess is a wonderful female character. She's headstrong, brave and would never abandon her friends, which makes me like her even more. Her only wish is to fit in somewhere and have a person truly understand her.
The story was brilliant but I was a tad upset about how t More...
Jan 30, 2012
Lisa
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is an extremely well written novel. I love the journey that we take with Tess (the main heroine) and one of my favorite aspects about the book is seeing her growth and seeing how strong she becomes despite what she has been through. For me this book was charming, funny, magical.... it had everything a great read should have. The only reason I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt that the ending was too rushed. The author chose to wrap
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Feb 18, 2012
Candace
rated it:
When I heard the description of this book I was immediately drawn to it. But then I saw reviews saying it was mediocre. This worried me a bit. But I still bought the book. And I'm so glad I did! The book pulled me in immediately and it kept me entranced the entire way through. And while parts of the middle were slower, they still held my attention and I was still eager to continue reading.
I really liked Tess. She felt real to me. She was brave and and strong and extreme More...
I really liked Tess. She felt real to me. She was brave and and strong and extreme More...
