What do you think?
Rate this book
Dragonheart
Knights have a lot more to do to defend their kings- in fact they are the ones that work and not the Kings or Queens. Having seen cruelty after an act of mercy, Bowen sets out to slay all dragons including the one that healed Einon-the now cruel king of the land. Enter Kara, possible love interest.
266 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 7, 1996
6 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Charles Edward Pogue
4 booksFrom Wikipedia: Charles Edward Pogue is a film and television writer who has worked in the sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and thriller genres.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 29, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
"E ADESSO, DRACO? SENZA DI TE, CHE COSA FAREMO? A CHI CI RIVOLGEREMO?"
"ALLE STELLE, BOWEN. ALLE STELLE."
Altro giro, altra novellizzazione! Questa volta tocca a DRAGONHEART.
Dragonheart è sempre stato uno dei miei "comfort movie", uno di quei film con cui sono cresciuta e che riguardo sempre volentieri, nonostante qualche difettuccio e un po' di superficialità. Ora grazie a questo romanzo ho potuto scoprire il VERO Dragonheart, come sarebbe dovuto essere.
*POSSIBILI MINOR SPOILERS*
Ci sono diverse scene che non sono presenti nel film (Felton che amoreggia con la bella contadina, tanto per fare un esempio: nel film veniva solo suggerita, non ci si fa nemmeno caso), alcuni rapporti tra i personaggi sono del tutto diversi (nel film Kara sembra solo nutrire rispetto e ammirazione per Bowen, nel romanzo i due si amano proprio!), altri personaggi ancora sono stati resi in modo diverso da pagina a schermo (fratello Gilbert è più comic relief nel film che nel libro), alcune scene d'azione/combattimento nel film sono state semplificate e così via.
Ho anche avuto l'impressione che ci sia stato un errore di traduzione in uno dei primi capitoli: se non ricordo male il penultimo drago esistente, una femmina piuttosto anziana e in cattivo stato, qualche pagina dopo cambia sesso. MAH. E sempre parlando di capitoli, devo dire che i titoli non sempre sono granché 😅
Scoprire che i piani iniziali della sceneggiatura per questo film erano QUESTI mi ha lasciato un po' spiazzata. WE'VE BEEN ROBBED!
Tralasciando questi aspetti, la novellizzazione di Dragonheart è stata una lettura scorrevole e piacevole, una piccola coccola low fantasy.
"E ADESSO, DRACO? SENZA DI TE, CHE COSA FAREMO? A CHI CI RIVOLGEREMO?"
"ALLE STELLE, BOWEN. ALLE STELLE."
Altro giro, altra novellizzazione! Questa volta tocca a DRAGONHEART.
Dragonheart è sempre stato uno dei miei "comfort movie", uno di quei film con cui sono cresciuta e che riguardo sempre volentieri, nonostante qualche difettuccio e un po' di superficialità. Ora grazie a questo romanzo ho potuto scoprire il VERO Dragonheart, come sarebbe dovuto essere.
*POSSIBILI MINOR SPOILERS*
Ci sono diverse scene che non sono presenti nel film (Felton che amoreggia con la bella contadina, tanto per fare un esempio: nel film veniva solo suggerita, non ci si fa nemmeno caso), alcuni rapporti tra i personaggi sono del tutto diversi (nel film Kara sembra solo nutrire rispetto e ammirazione per Bowen, nel romanzo i due si amano proprio!), altri personaggi ancora sono stati resi in modo diverso da pagina a schermo (fratello Gilbert è più comic relief nel film che nel libro), alcune scene d'azione/combattimento nel film sono state semplificate e così via.
Ho anche avuto l'impressione che ci sia stato un errore di traduzione in uno dei primi capitoli: se non ricordo male il penultimo drago esistente, una femmina piuttosto anziana e in cattivo stato, qualche pagina dopo cambia sesso. MAH. E sempre parlando di capitoli, devo dire che i titoli non sempre sono granché 😅
Scoprire che i piani iniziali della sceneggiatura per questo film erano QUESTI mi ha lasciato un po' spiazzata. WE'VE BEEN ROBBED!
Tralasciando questi aspetti, la novellizzazione di Dragonheart è stata una lettura scorrevole e piacevole, una piccola coccola low fantasy.
April 4, 2022
Corto y sencillo. La historia no da muchos rodeos y tiene tintes más bien cómicos que le quitan seriedad a la historia y aportan frescor.
Es un buen libro para leer en el transporte público, pero resulta más bien olvidable. Ni me desagrada ni me quita el sueño. Es un libro "meh..."
Es un buen libro para leer en el transporte público, pero resulta más bien olvidable. Ni me desagrada ni me quita el sueño. Es un libro "meh..."
June 5, 2020
This book gave me such nostalgia and I loved every second of it. Even if I had never seen the film it was a fun little fantasy novel, and it’s got a talking dragon which is the best part. The ending still made me cry, just like every time I watch the movie.
March 20, 2015
I never knew this book existed and I was SO excited to read it when I found out. I have never ordered a book so fast from Amazon, nor read a book so fast. The 1996 movie version is and will always be one of my favourite movies (yes even with the ending ;_;). The book did not disappoint! I wish it was longer! The relationship between Bowen and Kara was developed more than in the movie, and you definitely get more of a sense of Draco's emotionality. It was also interesting to get a bit more information about Felton, and Brother Gilbert. This is definitely a book I'll read every year, and a story I am excited to read to my (future) children.
November 11, 2018
This is a decent novelization of the script of my favorite movie "Dragonheart". I'm not really into it, though, because this is too short for me to enjoy. However, reading it still brings back many memories about the movie, which is a good thing.
November 22, 2019
La verdad es que lo he leido por nostalgia. Y aunque es una novelización, para pasar el rato está muy bien y lo he disfrutado mucho.
December 15, 2022
I didn't have high expectations for those but actually it was pretty good and my 11 year old really liked it. The characters are mostly pretty cartoonish but the plot is strong and there are a few good surprises along the way.
January 8, 2021
I grew up watching Dragonheart as a kid. My brother and I loved the film--he always cried at the Dragon's death and we'd always rewind it to reassure him that the dragon was still alive.
That being said, years later, stumbling across this with a more mature eye, I'll admit the writing is dated and at times there are moments that make me recoil--particularly when it comes to fleshing out the female characters--I'm thinking in particular about the lead, Kara. Initially the Knight and Priest are douchebags when it comes to interacting with her--namecalling her "wench" among other things. Draco is the only one who's decent to her.
I can see now why they chose to make the film family-friendly. Einon's evil takes on a Robin Hood-esque villainy combined with abuse. It was also hard for me to read the book without hearing the movie play out in my head. This was a similar experience I had while reading Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. The Book Bowen differentiates from Dennis Quaid's hallmark rough and tumble performance.
All in all, the climax was well-merited even if it relied on a old-fashion notion of chivalry. Would it still work in the year of 2021? Probably not. The writing has some merit. At the time, the talent of Charles Edward Pogue's dream project was a success along with a team of writers and filmmakers who believed in him. I do believe that if given the chance, it could be better and still work in today's day and age. Both the novel and the film function best as a stand-alone despite the sequel and prequels which can never achieve the momentum and success of the debut.
That being said, years later, stumbling across this with a more mature eye, I'll admit the writing is dated and at times there are moments that make me recoil--particularly when it comes to fleshing out the female characters--I'm thinking in particular about the lead, Kara. Initially the Knight and Priest are douchebags when it comes to interacting with her--namecalling her "wench" among other things. Draco is the only one who's decent to her.
I can see now why they chose to make the film family-friendly. Einon's evil takes on a Robin Hood-esque villainy combined with abuse. It was also hard for me to read the book without hearing the movie play out in my head. This was a similar experience I had while reading Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. The Book Bowen differentiates from Dennis Quaid's hallmark rough and tumble performance.
All in all, the climax was well-merited even if it relied on a old-fashion notion of chivalry. Would it still work in the year of 2021? Probably not. The writing has some merit. At the time, the talent of Charles Edward Pogue's dream project was a success along with a team of writers and filmmakers who believed in him. I do believe that if given the chance, it could be better and still work in today's day and age. Both the novel and the film function best as a stand-alone despite the sequel and prequels which can never achieve the momentum and success of the debut.
March 10, 2013
A Quickie Review
Based on the 1996 blockbuster movie, DragonHeart is a novelization that reads like a regular novel. Though there are some content concerns--occasional profanity, a little blood--the fantastical story is great and makes a good point about sacrifice.
Score: 4/5
Based on the 1996 blockbuster movie, DragonHeart is a novelization that reads like a regular novel. Though there are some content concerns--occasional profanity, a little blood--the fantastical story is great and makes a good point about sacrifice.
Score: 4/5
July 19, 2023
the ending, poor dragon, another good cry, well i guess i needed it
April 22, 2022
It is known by many who know me that 90% of my favourite movies list are movies from the 90’s. It is also known, that I am a sucker for anything involving dragons.
---
Let me be clear – I have always loved dragons. I loved dinosaurs as a kid (I had wanted to be a paleontologist) and dragons were definitely included in that scope. To this day I still believe that dragons existed somewhere in the timeline of life and no one can tell me otherwise. That being said, Dragonheart is still one of my favourites. It really is near and dear to my heart, and I recently found out there was a novelization of the screenplay, I had to read it.
---
If you have seen the movie, you’ll likely read this entire book with the voices of Bown, Kara, and Draco for their respective characters. The story revolves around Bowen, a Knight of the Old Code who is tasked with teaching the old code to Prince Einon, as well as to train him in sword skills and to grow up to a be a decent human being, unlike his tyrant father, King Freyne. When Einon is injured in a battle of his father's making, Queen Aislinn brings him to a dragon for healing, much as her people used to do in the old days. The dragon shares a piece of his heart with the prince to restore his life, and makes him vow to be a better ruler than his father - and charges Bowen to hold him to this promise. Later, when Einon takes the path of cruelty and ruthlessness, Bowen becomes an outcast and vows revenge on the dragon who he believes tainted his beloved prince's heart.
---
The book follows really well with the movie (if you have seen it) but it does give so much more insight to the feelings and thought processes of the characters, which really paints them in a different light. Of course, differences in details will vary with any book to screen adaptation, but I didn’t mind the changes that we re made and did value the deeper look into the characters. That being said, I feel like the writing structure was all over the place. The sentences were very fragmented and truthfully I have seen better writing, but I am uncertain if this is because it was adapted from the screenplay itself or not.
---
We do get a lot of insight here into the way Kara feels and is treated by Einon, the way that Einon longs for her and how he wrestled with his own memories and feelings, and also Queen Aislinn, in a moment between her and Kara we really see how she felt about who Einon has become. It’s a bit heartbreaking really for her, to see the man her son has become.
---
I know a few people didn’t like the way that Kara was painted, but I don’t see anything wrong with it given the time this was written and the era in which the events occur. We do see more about her inner though process and feelings towards Bowen here and I did enjoy reading about that. The other thing we get here is Bowen’s feelings and emotions about slaying all the dragons on his quest to find Draco. In the movie it’s implied that he’s remorseful, but in the book we definitely see that this does haunt him. In truth, the entire book (and movie) is an emotional ride from start to finish and no feeling is spared here. Quite honestly, I got emotional reading the ending of the book the exact same way I get emotional/cry when watching the ending of the movie.
---
I will say that if you have NOT seen the movie, you likely will not be able to appreciate this book. As a standalone book, it is quite lacking, and I cannot imagine the experience being as exciting as for those who have seen the movie, see the characters as they interact and have familiarity with the story. It just would not hit the same. As I mentioned the writing is very fragmented and lacking the depth it really should, the only real connection I had with the writing was during one of Bowen’s dreams. Everything else felt like a short story. If you HAVE seen the movie, you will appreciate the subtle things like the thoughts of Einon, Bowen and Kara’s relationship progression, and the humour of Gilbert. Overall, I am glad to have been able to read this, as it did become one of my absolute favourite films.
---
Let me be clear – I have always loved dragons. I loved dinosaurs as a kid (I had wanted to be a paleontologist) and dragons were definitely included in that scope. To this day I still believe that dragons existed somewhere in the timeline of life and no one can tell me otherwise. That being said, Dragonheart is still one of my favourites. It really is near and dear to my heart, and I recently found out there was a novelization of the screenplay, I had to read it.
---
If you have seen the movie, you’ll likely read this entire book with the voices of Bown, Kara, and Draco for their respective characters. The story revolves around Bowen, a Knight of the Old Code who is tasked with teaching the old code to Prince Einon, as well as to train him in sword skills and to grow up to a be a decent human being, unlike his tyrant father, King Freyne. When Einon is injured in a battle of his father's making, Queen Aislinn brings him to a dragon for healing, much as her people used to do in the old days. The dragon shares a piece of his heart with the prince to restore his life, and makes him vow to be a better ruler than his father - and charges Bowen to hold him to this promise. Later, when Einon takes the path of cruelty and ruthlessness, Bowen becomes an outcast and vows revenge on the dragon who he believes tainted his beloved prince's heart.
---
The book follows really well with the movie (if you have seen it) but it does give so much more insight to the feelings and thought processes of the characters, which really paints them in a different light. Of course, differences in details will vary with any book to screen adaptation, but I didn’t mind the changes that we re made and did value the deeper look into the characters. That being said, I feel like the writing structure was all over the place. The sentences were very fragmented and truthfully I have seen better writing, but I am uncertain if this is because it was adapted from the screenplay itself or not.
---
We do get a lot of insight here into the way Kara feels and is treated by Einon, the way that Einon longs for her and how he wrestled with his own memories and feelings, and also Queen Aislinn, in a moment between her and Kara we really see how she felt about who Einon has become. It’s a bit heartbreaking really for her, to see the man her son has become.
---
I know a few people didn’t like the way that Kara was painted, but I don’t see anything wrong with it given the time this was written and the era in which the events occur. We do see more about her inner though process and feelings towards Bowen here and I did enjoy reading about that. The other thing we get here is Bowen’s feelings and emotions about slaying all the dragons on his quest to find Draco. In the movie it’s implied that he’s remorseful, but in the book we definitely see that this does haunt him. In truth, the entire book (and movie) is an emotional ride from start to finish and no feeling is spared here. Quite honestly, I got emotional reading the ending of the book the exact same way I get emotional/cry when watching the ending of the movie.
---
I will say that if you have NOT seen the movie, you likely will not be able to appreciate this book. As a standalone book, it is quite lacking, and I cannot imagine the experience being as exciting as for those who have seen the movie, see the characters as they interact and have familiarity with the story. It just would not hit the same. As I mentioned the writing is very fragmented and lacking the depth it really should, the only real connection I had with the writing was during one of Bowen’s dreams. Everything else felt like a short story. If you HAVE seen the movie, you will appreciate the subtle things like the thoughts of Einon, Bowen and Kara’s relationship progression, and the humour of Gilbert. Overall, I am glad to have been able to read this, as it did become one of my absolute favourite films.
September 13, 2017
Dragonheart is very much like the film, and it should be, considering it was adapted by the screenwriter. For those who have seen the film, it should be easy to hear the voices of Dennis Quaid as the Knight of the Old Code, Bowen, and Sir Sean Connery as the dragon, Draco.
If you're unfamiliar with the movie, the story revolves around Bowen. He has been training young Prince Einon in various skills such as the sword, bow, etc. Bowen hopes to teach Einon the old ways so that the boy won't become a tyrant like his father. As they train, a battle is waging between the king and his subjects, who are revolting because they are starving and live in squalor while the knights who hold their lands live in splendor. Einon rushes to see the battle only to witness his father's death by a village leader. Einon cares little for his dying father, but only for the crown. His greed gets him stabbed in the chest by a fiery, redheaded beauty. On the brink of dying, Einon's mother, Aislinn, has her son brought to the cave of a dragon. The dragon makes the boy swear to be a better king and person to his people and to restore the friendship men and dragons once shared. Bowen pledges his sword to the dragon.The dragon removes a portion of his heart and places it within Einon's chest, saving him.
Einon miraculously recovers but he doesn't hold to his oath with the dragon or to the old code Bowen taught him. He immediately becomes worse than his father. Bowen mistakes the new king's behavior on the dragon, believing him to have cursed the boy. Bowen swears vengeance on the dragon and goes about killing every dragon in the kingdom as he searches for the dragon who hoped to restore peace. After four years of searching, Bowen finds he has killed off almost all the dragons. Along the way he meets a monk who writes poetry very poorly. He also runs in to the red-haired beauty once again as she tries to start another peasant uprising.
Bowen also finds the dragon and ends up fighting the battle of all one-on-one battles.
The novel is filled with just as much adventure and emotion, both whimsical and heart-breaking, as the film. I highly recommend this story for any fan of high fantasy, the legend of King Arthur or the works of such novelists such as George R.R. Martin.
If you're unfamiliar with the movie, the story revolves around Bowen. He has been training young Prince Einon in various skills such as the sword, bow, etc. Bowen hopes to teach Einon the old ways so that the boy won't become a tyrant like his father. As they train, a battle is waging between the king and his subjects, who are revolting because they are starving and live in squalor while the knights who hold their lands live in splendor. Einon rushes to see the battle only to witness his father's death by a village leader. Einon cares little for his dying father, but only for the crown. His greed gets him stabbed in the chest by a fiery, redheaded beauty. On the brink of dying, Einon's mother, Aislinn, has her son brought to the cave of a dragon. The dragon makes the boy swear to be a better king and person to his people and to restore the friendship men and dragons once shared. Bowen pledges his sword to the dragon.The dragon removes a portion of his heart and places it within Einon's chest, saving him.
Einon miraculously recovers but he doesn't hold to his oath with the dragon or to the old code Bowen taught him. He immediately becomes worse than his father. Bowen mistakes the new king's behavior on the dragon, believing him to have cursed the boy. Bowen swears vengeance on the dragon and goes about killing every dragon in the kingdom as he searches for the dragon who hoped to restore peace. After four years of searching, Bowen finds he has killed off almost all the dragons. Along the way he meets a monk who writes poetry very poorly. He also runs in to the red-haired beauty once again as she tries to start another peasant uprising.
Bowen also finds the dragon and ends up fighting the battle of all one-on-one battles.
The novel is filled with just as much adventure and emotion, both whimsical and heart-breaking, as the film. I highly recommend this story for any fan of high fantasy, the legend of King Arthur or the works of such novelists such as George R.R. Martin.
November 10, 2022
My goodness, what a drag. This took me eight months to read.
No, it's not because I'm that retarded of a reader. It's because it's fantasy, a genre I hate, and a novelization of a movie.
So why did I even bother?
Well, right now, I'm trying not to buy any new books until I've read all the books in my current personal library that I haven't read yet. And it's a lot. And I'm going through ones given to me, rather than ones I got for myself. Dragonheart was given to me seven years ago, almost eight, from a great actress I worked with on my first (and only) feature-film. She also gave me a VHS copy of Anastasia that I still need to watch. Also, prior to releasing his novelization of his film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino said one of his favorite type of books are novelizations - books based on movies instead of the other way around.
I don't know if it's just a reinforcement of me not liking fantasy, or if it's the fact this is based on a mediocre movie, or if it really just badly written. The prose is so generic, going into dumb little details that add nothing, and paces itself so much slower than the movie does - even at just 262 pages.
As far as a novelization of Dragonheart, it's a completely by-the-steps describing of the movie; there's no soul. It adds absolutely nothing, except a few more dragonslayings not shown, and provides no meaningful exploration into characters or any subtext that the movie couldn't or didn't. Are all novelizations like this? Going in I thought it would provide more insights on its characters, setting, and themes but it does no such thing. It's as bland and shallow as the movie it's based on. Novelizations could be cool if they delved deeper into the material or even altered course from the movie, like how movies often do with their adaptations of books.
This sucked.
No, it's not because I'm that retarded of a reader. It's because it's fantasy, a genre I hate, and a novelization of a movie.
So why did I even bother?
Well, right now, I'm trying not to buy any new books until I've read all the books in my current personal library that I haven't read yet. And it's a lot. And I'm going through ones given to me, rather than ones I got for myself. Dragonheart was given to me seven years ago, almost eight, from a great actress I worked with on my first (and only) feature-film. She also gave me a VHS copy of Anastasia that I still need to watch. Also, prior to releasing his novelization of his film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino said one of his favorite type of books are novelizations - books based on movies instead of the other way around.
I don't know if it's just a reinforcement of me not liking fantasy, or if it's the fact this is based on a mediocre movie, or if it really just badly written. The prose is so generic, going into dumb little details that add nothing, and paces itself so much slower than the movie does - even at just 262 pages.
As far as a novelization of Dragonheart, it's a completely by-the-steps describing of the movie; there's no soul. It adds absolutely nothing, except a few more dragonslayings not shown, and provides no meaningful exploration into characters or any subtext that the movie couldn't or didn't. Are all novelizations like this? Going in I thought it would provide more insights on its characters, setting, and themes but it does no such thing. It's as bland and shallow as the movie it's based on. Novelizations could be cool if they delved deeper into the material or even altered course from the movie, like how movies often do with their adaptations of books.
This sucked.
August 14, 2019
Dragonheart war (und ist immer noch) seit Kindheitstagen einer meiner absoluten Lieblingsfilmen - zufällig bin ich vor einigen Wochen in meiner On-Demand Videothek drübergestolpert und hab' mich auf eine Reise zurück in meine Kindheit mitnehmen lassen.
Weil ich neugierig war, wie sich dieser wunderbare Film als Buch schlägt, hab' ich es mir "gemedimopst" - leider blieb es hinter den Erwartungen zurück.
Während die Geschichte ansprechend geschrieben ist und viele, mehr oder weniger, interessante Zusatzdetails in die Geschichte eingewoben werden, so werden aber auch Details in der Geschichte abgeändert und weichen vom Film ab - keine weltbewegenden Dinge, aber dennoch Änderungen die nicht nötig wären, mich an meinen Erinnerungen zweifeln und mein Nostalgie-Herz (Ha!) bluten lassen.
Selbsterklärend mangelt es dem Buch auch an emotionaler Durchschlagskraft, die mich durch das bittersüße, tränentreibende Ende des Films mit einem - immer noch unglaublich guten - Score und den passenden Bildern dazu auch 20+ Jahre später noch schwer schluchzen lassen.
Fazit - Unnötige und teilweise unpassende Änderungen in der Geschichte vermiesen den Retro-Trip zu einem gewissen Grad und verhindern eine bessere Wertung - da können auch die detaillierten Zusatzinfos in der Geschichte und die gefallen zu wissende Schreibweise den Karren nicht ganz aus dem Dreck ziehen. Dann doch lieber nochmal auf Blu-ray ansehen.
Weil ich neugierig war, wie sich dieser wunderbare Film als Buch schlägt, hab' ich es mir "gemedimopst" - leider blieb es hinter den Erwartungen zurück.
Während die Geschichte ansprechend geschrieben ist und viele, mehr oder weniger, interessante Zusatzdetails in die Geschichte eingewoben werden, so werden aber auch Details in der Geschichte abgeändert und weichen vom Film ab - keine weltbewegenden Dinge, aber dennoch Änderungen die nicht nötig wären, mich an meinen Erinnerungen zweifeln und mein Nostalgie-Herz (Ha!) bluten lassen.
Selbsterklärend mangelt es dem Buch auch an emotionaler Durchschlagskraft, die mich durch das bittersüße, tränentreibende Ende des Films mit einem - immer noch unglaublich guten - Score und den passenden Bildern dazu auch 20+ Jahre später noch schwer schluchzen lassen.
Fazit - Unnötige und teilweise unpassende Änderungen in der Geschichte vermiesen den Retro-Trip zu einem gewissen Grad und verhindern eine bessere Wertung - da können auch die detaillierten Zusatzinfos in der Geschichte und die gefallen zu wissende Schreibweise den Karren nicht ganz aus dem Dreck ziehen. Dann doch lieber nochmal auf Blu-ray ansehen.
July 5, 2018
Based on the screenplay for the film of the same name, this novel parallels the script almost entirely.
As such it comes off as a bit of a comedy, albeit with some darker tones. Violence, a rape is made known, and light amounts of gore.
The writing plays itself out very "visually" and tells a lot of minute actions. Physical movements described intentionally and deliberately to deliver a clear rendition of the display. In such a way it reads a bit like a play. Staged and performed.
Many of the characters are difficult to take seriously in even their more serious moments. Gilbert, Bowen, Kara, and Draco all have their own heavy doses of comedic lines and posturings. Even the villains are written to feel more like fools than potent threats. Einon does feel vile and wretched, but his perspective points are often dripping with so much fear and uncertainty that he never feels imposing and his combat ability in the action scenes feel far-fetched compared to how he is written through the rest of the tale.
It does maintain a simplistic, cute, and honor focused theme. It's a tale of unlikely friends coming together fatefully to defeat a tyrant and undo a wrong. Redemption. The comedy keeps it from ever being too serious and while it has some fairly adult focused material feels almost better suited for a young adult audience.
Quick and easy. Short and sweet.
As such it comes off as a bit of a comedy, albeit with some darker tones. Violence, a rape is made known, and light amounts of gore.
The writing plays itself out very "visually" and tells a lot of minute actions. Physical movements described intentionally and deliberately to deliver a clear rendition of the display. In such a way it reads a bit like a play. Staged and performed.
Many of the characters are difficult to take seriously in even their more serious moments. Gilbert, Bowen, Kara, and Draco all have their own heavy doses of comedic lines and posturings. Even the villains are written to feel more like fools than potent threats. Einon does feel vile and wretched, but his perspective points are often dripping with so much fear and uncertainty that he never feels imposing and his combat ability in the action scenes feel far-fetched compared to how he is written through the rest of the tale.
It does maintain a simplistic, cute, and honor focused theme. It's a tale of unlikely friends coming together fatefully to defeat a tyrant and undo a wrong. Redemption. The comedy keeps it from ever being too serious and while it has some fairly adult focused material feels almost better suited for a young adult audience.
Quick and easy. Short and sweet.
December 26, 2018
This is one of those books that a 5 star system fails. I really don't know if it's a 4 star book, but I would never call it a three star book so 4 it gets. I never watched this as a movie and I'm not sure why. Maybe it seemed cheesy because there are some scenes in the book that are cringe worthy.
But so much of the story is about epic friendship, forgiveness, and old magic. I think a small amount of cringe can be forgiven for all of that.
Bowen and Draco's friendship is so amazing that it makes my heart hurt that Bowen had killed the other dragons. And I wish there was much more Bowen and Kara. I feel like they had a lot of build up and it could have been more. I get that it is a story about the dragon, but a girl can dream.
The queen/ Einon's mom is amazing. She tries to help her son, but as soon as things go sour, she starts moving the players like a chess game to fix everything.
The ending is bittersweet. It's the sad but satisfying ending that you see coming from about the half way.
But so much of the story is about epic friendship, forgiveness, and old magic. I think a small amount of cringe can be forgiven for all of that.
Bowen and Draco's friendship is so amazing that it makes my heart hurt that Bowen had killed the other dragons. And I wish there was much more Bowen and Kara. I feel like they had a lot of build up and it could have been more. I get that it is a story about the dragon, but a girl can dream.
The queen/ Einon's mom is amazing. She tries to help her son, but as soon as things go sour, she starts moving the players like a chess game to fix everything.
The ending is bittersweet. It's the sad but satisfying ending that you see coming from about the half way.
March 27, 2023
This is one of my favourite movies of all times so I just had to pick up the novelization. This book was short. Too short- it skipped a lot of important parts like Bowen reciting the code and brother Gillbert just disappears part way through the book. i've read several movie and show novelizations before but none were this odd and bad. It's missing so much of the story and if you haven't seen the movie you will barely know what is going on. It's just not good.. Here is hoping that we get a longer version one day.
September 28, 2018
I believe this is the first movie novelization I've read. It's about what I expected. Dragonheart was one of my favorite movies as a child, yet what works on screen doesn't necessarily work in print.
Still, nostalgia pulled me through. There's a little bit more than what's presented in the movie, but for the most part it's identical. Novelization indeed. I'll stick with the movie.
Still, nostalgia pulled me through. There's a little bit more than what's presented in the movie, but for the most part it's identical. Novelization indeed. I'll stick with the movie.
December 29, 2023
Clever story , Nice twist to the genre. But the villain? there's no foreshadowing of course this is an adaptation of a movie but even so.
It's nice bloody epic tale . We need standalone movies nowadays rather than franchises.
Surprisingly or perhaps not that surprisingly this film has prequels and sequels and video games. If they're written by the same guys may give them a look.
It's nice bloody epic tale . We need standalone movies nowadays rather than franchises.
Surprisingly or perhaps not that surprisingly this film has prequels and sequels and video games. If they're written by the same guys may give them a look.
January 17, 2018
I loved the movie and the book made it that much better. Characters were more developed and had more depth. An amazing read.
October 18, 2018
Favorite movie, and the book expands on it in beautiful ways.
November 18, 2019
Me gusto trata de un caballero y un dragón pero me disgusto el final
July 16, 2020
well, i saw the movie for the first time and couldn't understand why people like it. so i read the novel hoping it would elucidate me. slightly better but still not good.
October 28, 2021
Una novelización muy fiel a la película que marcó a tanta gente. Ha sido como revivir mi infancia.
July 14, 2025
It was fine, classic 90's fantasy
August 5, 2025
Just like the movie, I remember from my childhood. Certainly more violent, but some excellent prose in here. A fun and quick read.
February 20, 2017
Most of the times book adaptions of movies are just used to pedal the film, but this one stands on its own, and is actually the Dragonheart I wish we had seen on the screen. While I like the 1996 movie and think that it didn't deserve the brush off by critics, Charles Edward Pogue's novelization of his own screenplay is slightly dark, more humorous, romantic, and fills in subtext on several different characters with some solid backstory. It's a sweeping adventure and a worthy addition to the fantasy genre; my only request is that they remake the movie with more of this material in play.
May 15, 2013
1.Penguin Readers Level 2
2.5/8 35min, 5/14 35min
3.7words: prince, King, dragon, cruel, peasants fighting, knight
4.Are you interested in Dragon?
-- Yes, I am. I am very interested in it. I have watched some movies about dragon. They are so cool and strong for me.
5. (5/8) I read this book until the scene a dragon appeared.
At first, I was surprised at what a big dragon spoke.
It looked strong and I am interested in what power the dragon has.
(5/14) The knight Bowen was a good person and he is very strong! I wondered why he have turned into a not good person all too soon. The scene king Einon gave an oder to Brok to burn the Redbeard's eyes was shocked for me. Dragonheart had terrible ability, I thought.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
< Les Miserables > *I cannont find this book in goodreads so I write a review here.
1.Oxford Level1
2.5/9 35min, 5/12 40min
3. prisonor, daughter, inspector, students, boy, barricade, France
4.Have you ever watched a movie or a play about this story?
--- Yes, I have. I watched the movie in March. I was very impressed and I cried sometimes.
5.Jean Valjean's life were severe, if I was his situation, I lost my way to live and I could never take care for stranger's daughter. The brave figure of students who confronted the government at the risk of death was impressive. I hope Marius and Cosset's happiness. I really love this story.
2.5/8 35min, 5/14 35min
3.7words: prince, King, dragon, cruel, peasants fighting, knight
4.Are you interested in Dragon?
-- Yes, I am. I am very interested in it. I have watched some movies about dragon. They are so cool and strong for me.
5. (5/8) I read this book until the scene a dragon appeared.
At first, I was surprised at what a big dragon spoke.
It looked strong and I am interested in what power the dragon has.
(5/14) The knight Bowen was a good person and he is very strong! I wondered why he have turned into a not good person all too soon. The scene king Einon gave an oder to Brok to burn the Redbeard's eyes was shocked for me. Dragonheart had terrible ability, I thought.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
< Les Miserables > *I cannont find this book in goodreads so I write a review here.
1.Oxford Level1
2.5/9 35min, 5/12 40min
3. prisonor, daughter, inspector, students, boy, barricade, France
4.Have you ever watched a movie or a play about this story?
--- Yes, I have. I watched the movie in March. I was very impressed and I cried sometimes.
5.Jean Valjean's life were severe, if I was his situation, I lost my way to live and I could never take care for stranger's daughter. The brave figure of students who confronted the government at the risk of death was impressive. I hope Marius and Cosset's happiness. I really love this story.
July 21, 2012
Reading the book is better than watching the movie.
I've always loved the Arthurian legend, and the tales about dragons and knights: and Lancelot being my favorite knight of all time. But in reading Dragonheart, you learn that the knights have a lot more to do to defend their kings- in fact they are the ones that work and not the Kings or Queens. It's what made me identify the most with Bowen. Having seen cruelty after an act of mercy-he sets out to slay all dragons including the one that healed Einon-the now cruel king of the land.
In his quest he realizes that the dragon feels as guilty as he does and they become friends- he names him Draco, but he knows it won't end well; to kill Einon would mean killing Draco too because they have half of each other's hearts.
The only thing that shocked me in this story was Bowen's love for Kara- I did not see that one coming- but it still is quite the adventure.
I've always loved the Arthurian legend, and the tales about dragons and knights: and Lancelot being my favorite knight of all time. But in reading Dragonheart, you learn that the knights have a lot more to do to defend their kings- in fact they are the ones that work and not the Kings or Queens. It's what made me identify the most with Bowen. Having seen cruelty after an act of mercy-he sets out to slay all dragons including the one that healed Einon-the now cruel king of the land.
In his quest he realizes that the dragon feels as guilty as he does and they become friends- he names him Draco, but he knows it won't end well; to kill Einon would mean killing Draco too because they have half of each other's hearts.
The only thing that shocked me in this story was Bowen's love for Kara- I did not see that one coming- but it still is quite the adventure.
November 4, 2015
Penguin Readers/ level 2
10/30=40 minutes
dragon/ king/ cruel/ heart/ knight/ battle/ death
" 'My sword says she doesn't have to,' said Bowen, and he pulled out his sword. "
Sir Bowen says it to the Kind Einon right before the battle begins. This made me really excited while reading the story.
I think there is the movie based on this story, and there are some pictures showing favorite scenes of the movie on the book. I want to watch it!
10/30=40 minutes
dragon/ king/ cruel/ heart/ knight/ battle/ death
" 'My sword says she doesn't have to,' said Bowen, and he pulled out his sword. "
Sir Bowen says it to the Kind Einon right before the battle begins. This made me really excited while reading the story.
I think there is the movie based on this story, and there are some pictures showing favorite scenes of the movie on the book. I want to watch it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews