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Three Tasks for a Dragon
A classic quest story with a modern twist from two Irish Children's Laureates.
After his father's death, Prince Lir is tricked into embarking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon. The studious young prince is no warrior, but he uses his brains to make himself indispensable to the grumpy dragon. However, neither prince nor dragon have bargained on the dark magic which manipulates them both, and it may be left to maiden herself to save them all…
After his father's death, Prince Lir is tricked into embarking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon. The studious young prince is no warrior, but he uses his brains to make himself indispensable to the grumpy dragon. However, neither prince nor dragon have bargained on the dark magic which manipulates them both, and it may be left to maiden herself to save them all…
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2023
21 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Colfer
148 books11.8k followersEoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father and mother, who were both educators.
He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 29, 2023
a lovely book--both the words and the pictures gave me great pleasure. If I had someone in my life who loved beautiful fairy tale/dragon books, they would be getting this as a gift.....
July 28, 2025
i love folklore!! this was such a fun middle grade read about dragons, quests, magic, and curses. irish folklore retold by two children’s laureates, both the story and the amazing illustrations blew me away.
January 21, 2024
Prince Lir is tricked into embarking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon. The studious prince is no warrior, but he uses his brains to make himself indispensable to the ill-tempered creature. However, neither prince nor dragon have bargained on the dark magic which manipulates them both and it may be left to the maiden herself to save them all.
Part of chapter one
The Disappointing Prince
ONCE THERE WAS A PRINCE IN THE KINGDOM OF LAGIN WHO WAS such a disappointment to his Royal stepmother that she sought to have him banished from the realm.
“You cannot ride a horse, Prince Lir,” said Queen Nimh one evening after dinner in the great hall. “You can barely lift a sword. And you cannot summon the wolfhound”
Part of chapter one
The Disappointing Prince
ONCE THERE WAS A PRINCE IN THE KINGDOM OF LAGIN WHO WAS such a disappointment to his Royal stepmother that she sought to have him banished from the realm.
“You cannot ride a horse, Prince Lir,” said Queen Nimh one evening after dinner in the great hall. “You can barely lift a sword. And you cannot summon the wolfhound”
November 28, 2023
I very much enjoy this very traditional fantasy, withstanding the drawn out ending. I hope more stories of this length and depth will be published for children.
September 25, 2024
The Queen will banish Prince Lir from the kingdom unless he can complete a quest and rescue a maiden from the dragon. His stepbrother, Prince Delbayne, encourages him to try the quest, even though Lir is more of a scholar than a warrior. Lir travels to the Isle of Salt where he finds the dragon sickly and weak in a damp and moldy cavern. The dragon has lost his fire and his wing is broken, but he could still kill a knight with one slash of his claws. The maiden Cethlenn used to be a servant girl in Lir's kingdom. Now she has to serve the dragon by treading on dark cherries in the wine press to make the dragon's cherry wine. So the scholarly knight, the humble maiden, and the old dragon meet for the first time. These three unlikely allies will discover that dark magic is hiding where they least expect it, so they must join together if they want to be free.
I loved this fairy tale! The plot takes a lot of twists and turns with unexpected surprises and clever schemes. I liked that the adventure doesn't quite follow the normal fairy tale plot. It feels fresh and new, but still has those classic elements of good fantasy.
The writing is enchanting in every way. Each paragraph pulls you into the magic of the story. I especially liked that there is a feeling of history in the worldbuilding. You can feel the weight of legend behind Lir's kingdom, and the past glories of his royal ancestors keep popping up to give us a sense of the longevity of his people. There are traditions and tales from the days of Lir's father's reign, and Lir looks to the past for wisdom and guidance in his own decisions, but he also creates his own path.
Cethlenn has her own part in the story as well. She is an orphan, and back in her serving days in the kingdom, nobody cared for her but the puppies in the stable where she slept in the hay. During her time with Lir and the dragon on the Isle of Salt, she discovers that she has a secret strength within her that will change everything.
The artwork is absolutely brilliant and beautiful! Every page is a delight. Sometimes I just had to stop reading and stare at the art for a few minutes. Every page is full of energy and mystery. It's really powerful, perfectly matching the dynamic of the story.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved this fairy tale! The plot takes a lot of twists and turns with unexpected surprises and clever schemes. I liked that the adventure doesn't quite follow the normal fairy tale plot. It feels fresh and new, but still has those classic elements of good fantasy.
The writing is enchanting in every way. Each paragraph pulls you into the magic of the story. I especially liked that there is a feeling of history in the worldbuilding. You can feel the weight of legend behind Lir's kingdom, and the past glories of his royal ancestors keep popping up to give us a sense of the longevity of his people. There are traditions and tales from the days of Lir's father's reign, and Lir looks to the past for wisdom and guidance in his own decisions, but he also creates his own path.
Cethlenn has her own part in the story as well. She is an orphan, and back in her serving days in the kingdom, nobody cared for her but the puppies in the stable where she slept in the hay. During her time with Lir and the dragon on the Isle of Salt, she discovers that she has a secret strength within her that will change everything.
The artwork is absolutely brilliant and beautiful! Every page is a delight. Sometimes I just had to stop reading and stare at the art for a few minutes. Every page is full of energy and mystery. It's really powerful, perfectly matching the dynamic of the story.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.
August 16, 2025
I found this book at my local bookstore, Little Shop of Stories. I bought it for three reasons: dragons, Eoin Colfer, and PJ Lynch. I could not pass it up.
The first half was wonderful. The main character is clever, funny, and resourceful. He faces a tough situation and solves problems in a way that feels both smart and believable, like an engineer dropped into a fantasy world. I liked how hardworking and likable he was, and how creative his solutions felt. It even made me want to take notes in case I ever had to face something similar.
The artwork is beautiful. PJ Lynch always delivers, and his illustrations gave the story even more life. At this point, I was ready to recommend the book to everyone.
But then Chapter 6 came. The climax and ending did not work for me. The villain suddenly chose to kill his brother himself, even though he could have done that from the start. After all the focus on brains winning over strength, it was strange to see the story turn into a fight where the hero kills his brother.
What bothered me most was the blood magic. It added nothing to the story. The Queen favoring her own child and banishing the main character was strong enough. We did not need magic to explain her choice.
The curse that followed, which trapped the hero and dragon for fifty years, felt pointless. Nothing truly changed. Good won over evil, the prince still got the girl, and the dragon still died. Instead, we had to watch a long, drawn-out side story before things returned to where they would have ended anyway. By then, the emotional impact was gone, and I felt frustrated rather than moved.
The book started off smart, exciting, and full of heart, but the ending stretched out too long and left me disappointed.
The first half was wonderful. The main character is clever, funny, and resourceful. He faces a tough situation and solves problems in a way that feels both smart and believable, like an engineer dropped into a fantasy world. I liked how hardworking and likable he was, and how creative his solutions felt. It even made me want to take notes in case I ever had to face something similar.
The artwork is beautiful. PJ Lynch always delivers, and his illustrations gave the story even more life. At this point, I was ready to recommend the book to everyone.
But then Chapter 6 came. The climax and ending did not work for me. The villain suddenly chose to kill his brother himself, even though he could have done that from the start. After all the focus on brains winning over strength, it was strange to see the story turn into a fight where the hero kills his brother.
What bothered me most was the blood magic. It added nothing to the story. The Queen favoring her own child and banishing the main character was strong enough. We did not need magic to explain her choice.
The curse that followed, which trapped the hero and dragon for fifty years, felt pointless. Nothing truly changed. Good won over evil, the prince still got the girl, and the dragon still died. Instead, we had to watch a long, drawn-out side story before things returned to where they would have ended anyway. By then, the emotional impact was gone, and I felt frustrated rather than moved.
The book started off smart, exciting, and full of heart, but the ending stretched out too long and left me disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2025
Fun book. My grandchildren are all fortunate to have moms who love them and love to read and love to go to the library.
I was all set to give this fun, unusual, mythic fantasy tale four stars. This because it made me smile with surprises and lots of intriguing characters and developments. But 90% of the way through the book, right after a great climax, it took a very unexpected and somewhat disappointing twist leading to the ending, which while somewhat more realistic, was also not what I’d hoped. Ah, well.
I was all set to give this fun, unusual, mythic fantasy tale four stars. This because it made me smile with surprises and lots of intriguing characters and developments. But 90% of the way through the book, right after a great climax, it took a very unexpected and somewhat disappointing twist leading to the ending, which while somewhat more realistic, was also not what I’d hoped. Ah, well.
March 25, 2025
A bit like The Farthest Shore, a bit of Patricia Wrede thrown in there. But also wholly its own thing. So naturally, I loved it.
content warnings:
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
content warnings:
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
December 9, 2023
This was lovely. As a fan of a) dragons b) fairytales, this did not disappoint.
December 18, 2024
This was a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated, and with a captivating story that shook up the traditional formula of fantasy quests and left me genuinely wondering what would happen next.
February 9, 2025
*4.25/5 stars
The illustrations were stunning, and I loved how the story felt like I was reading a fairytale with a slightly modern vibe- kind of like Princess Bride or Ella Enchanted.
The illustrations were stunning, and I loved how the story felt like I was reading a fairytale with a slightly modern vibe- kind of like Princess Bride or Ella Enchanted.
March 2, 2024
Charming story, gorgeous illustrations. Felt nostalgic and new at the same time. Really enjoyed this.
April 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this!! Though it was a relatively short story, I thought it was well fleshed out, gripping, clever, and touching. The bittersweet ending was everything I wanted it to be, and I'm glad the author didn't give us a sickly syrupy happy ending just for the sake of it. I genuinely teared up at the end, because though it was sad in some ways, it was also perfect.
February 12, 2024
An adventurous read aloud picture book for 3rd-6th graders.
February 23, 2024
holy shit okay. Eoin Colfer has never Disappointed me, every book i've ever read by him has been a banger and this is no different. This book is about trust and friendship and love. The Art is so beautiful and the story is something i can read again and again and never be tired of it. It's not a long read but it's an impactful one, I highly recommend.
April 28, 2024
This adventure book (short story?) was absolutely fantastic. It read like an old Irish fairy tale. I think that when an author can write so beautiful and precise that I can be emotionally involved in the story/characters with few pages, you have found a special book. That takes skills. It’s a story that the whole family can enjoy together too. The plot wasn’t predictable and I could find many Christian applications. The narrator with an Irish accent did a fantastic job. Less than 2 hour audiobook. Now I will read the book so I can highlight.
SPOILERS and book notes:
This Irish accent narrator is the best.
The kings are supposed to be able to summon the wolf hounds but they haven’t been able to in a looong time. Prince Lir can’t either. Delbane (prince Lir stepbrother) successfully called the wolf hounds so he is going to be crowned. He only was able to bc he used dark magic though!! Both on his mom and the hounds! Kellen got taken by the dragon Lasfarg to his lair! And that is Lir quest! To rescue her! Delbane (the scheming evil dude) paid the dragon handsomely to do this. Lasfarg the dragon has a crooked wing and clogged chest(so no fire) so he lost the respect of the people. Haha he drinks wine and misses dragon operas. Hahaha I love his pov. Lir is like a scientist. A scholarly fellow. So he is smart. Uses the things around him. in exchange for the hostage Lir would do three tasks for the dragon. His first task was to make the cave less damp. Ingenious he was! It made the dragon breathe easier. There are many ways to show bravery. One of them is to trust. To start the fire they can use the dragons shedded scale as fuel! They can burn for hours and have a good smelling aroma. And bc of that the fish tasting sweet and delicious. He next repaired his wing. Bc he had once nursed a hawk back to health. The prince Delbane uses an enchanted raven to deliver a message to the dragon asking when he will kill his brother. The wolf hounds are showing up on the beach!! Is it to protect the prince? Or kellen? They turn their back on them. To protect them though!! To watch for intruders. I love the slow friendship developed with kellen and Lir. Dragon amber is a substance dragons use to preserve their food. It keeps it fresh. It can only be melted by fire! Lir thinks this would be great to store food for winter for his people! He found his father frozen in amber. This made him realize what his step brother did to his father. And that he will be next. Kellen can control the hounds!! She is so cool. Now that the third task is complete he must go. But kellen won’t come bc she is happy there. She likes it! And Lir wants to stay with her too, but he has to go find out the truth. The three amigos!! Please come back to them!! He promises he will come back to her one more time. And she promises to come back when there is a good king on the throne. Delbane’s wicked magic, you must take life blood from yourself. you become less and less human the more you do. Just like the more you make evil choices in your life, the less of Gods spirit is with you. Until finally you can’t feel the Holy Ghost at all. Delbane even controlled the dragon by the wine he gave him!!!! Awww! And that is why the dragon murdered the king originally. The third take he gave him back fire and amber bc he had the dragon stop drinking the wine which was stopping it! Now the evil prince came to the island to finish him off!!! And kellen is the hound queen!! She is summoning the hounds! You go girl. The dragon needs to fight the blood magic! Bc yes it is weaker, but not completely gone! And I’m so happy the step mother actually loved prince Lir. The hound queen returns!!!!!! Lessss gooooo. Her magic was repressed too bc she mashed the cherries that made the poison wine back for the king. But now it’s unleashed and she is pure in heart and can protect her prince. Oooo so epic: the dragon coated kellen in amber to protect her from evil prince shadow magic. She uses her hounds to fight the soldiers and Lir (while evil prince distracted), stabbed him in the chest. Delbane cursed them all on his dying breath though!!!! That they would lose everything they loved until the dragon died! And so the dragon loses his flame (so he can’t free kellen from the amber!!) and Lir can’t have Kellen whom he loves!! And both dragon and Lir lose themselves too! They forget!! Now it’s Gull and Lord Sparks with completely different identity changes and I am bawling. And lived 50 years just them two until the poison spear pierced the dragon and he died. BUT THEN lightning came and restarted the dragons heart!! And now the curse is broken!!!! And they get their memories back!! And they get the decades back so Gull now Lir again is young again!! Oh no but the dragon is still dying. But he was able to melt the amber for his last act. The wolf queen when she came back the wolf hounds surged forward to welcome her. But since it has been 50 years since the evil prince died, the kingdom is in trouble! But the wolf queen and her prince will come and fix it! The ending sentence made me bawl: ““Yes, my queen. I have returned to ask you again. Our kingdom has failed and our people starve. You must return to bring light and hope.” Cethlenn sat on the rock beside Lir, resting her back gently against what had been Lasvarg’s body. “I will think on it, Prince Lir, but first I have a request to make of you.” “Anything,” said Lir. “Anything that a man may do, I shall do.” Cethlenn smiled again. “It has been such a long time since we sat on these same rocks and shared a meal, so I wonder if you might cook me a fish.” Lir laughed at this. He was happy to prepare honey fish for them both, and as they talked, laughed, and cried, the heat trapped inside the dragon’s mighty chest kept them warm through the night.”
SPOILERS and book notes:
This Irish accent narrator is the best.
The kings are supposed to be able to summon the wolf hounds but they haven’t been able to in a looong time. Prince Lir can’t either. Delbane (prince Lir stepbrother) successfully called the wolf hounds so he is going to be crowned. He only was able to bc he used dark magic though!! Both on his mom and the hounds! Kellen got taken by the dragon Lasfarg to his lair! And that is Lir quest! To rescue her! Delbane (the scheming evil dude) paid the dragon handsomely to do this. Lasfarg the dragon has a crooked wing and clogged chest(so no fire) so he lost the respect of the people. Haha he drinks wine and misses dragon operas. Hahaha I love his pov. Lir is like a scientist. A scholarly fellow. So he is smart. Uses the things around him. in exchange for the hostage Lir would do three tasks for the dragon. His first task was to make the cave less damp. Ingenious he was! It made the dragon breathe easier. There are many ways to show bravery. One of them is to trust. To start the fire they can use the dragons shedded scale as fuel! They can burn for hours and have a good smelling aroma. And bc of that the fish tasting sweet and delicious. He next repaired his wing. Bc he had once nursed a hawk back to health. The prince Delbane uses an enchanted raven to deliver a message to the dragon asking when he will kill his brother. The wolf hounds are showing up on the beach!! Is it to protect the prince? Or kellen? They turn their back on them. To protect them though!! To watch for intruders. I love the slow friendship developed with kellen and Lir. Dragon amber is a substance dragons use to preserve their food. It keeps it fresh. It can only be melted by fire! Lir thinks this would be great to store food for winter for his people! He found his father frozen in amber. This made him realize what his step brother did to his father. And that he will be next. Kellen can control the hounds!! She is so cool. Now that the third task is complete he must go. But kellen won’t come bc she is happy there. She likes it! And Lir wants to stay with her too, but he has to go find out the truth. The three amigos!! Please come back to them!! He promises he will come back to her one more time. And she promises to come back when there is a good king on the throne. Delbane’s wicked magic, you must take life blood from yourself. you become less and less human the more you do. Just like the more you make evil choices in your life, the less of Gods spirit is with you. Until finally you can’t feel the Holy Ghost at all. Delbane even controlled the dragon by the wine he gave him!!!! Awww! And that is why the dragon murdered the king originally. The third take he gave him back fire and amber bc he had the dragon stop drinking the wine which was stopping it! Now the evil prince came to the island to finish him off!!! And kellen is the hound queen!! She is summoning the hounds! You go girl. The dragon needs to fight the blood magic! Bc yes it is weaker, but not completely gone! And I’m so happy the step mother actually loved prince Lir. The hound queen returns!!!!!! Lessss gooooo. Her magic was repressed too bc she mashed the cherries that made the poison wine back for the king. But now it’s unleashed and she is pure in heart and can protect her prince. Oooo so epic: the dragon coated kellen in amber to protect her from evil prince shadow magic. She uses her hounds to fight the soldiers and Lir (while evil prince distracted), stabbed him in the chest. Delbane cursed them all on his dying breath though!!!! That they would lose everything they loved until the dragon died! And so the dragon loses his flame (so he can’t free kellen from the amber!!) and Lir can’t have Kellen whom he loves!! And both dragon and Lir lose themselves too! They forget!! Now it’s Gull and Lord Sparks with completely different identity changes and I am bawling. And lived 50 years just them two until the poison spear pierced the dragon and he died. BUT THEN lightning came and restarted the dragons heart!! And now the curse is broken!!!! And they get their memories back!! And they get the decades back so Gull now Lir again is young again!! Oh no but the dragon is still dying. But he was able to melt the amber for his last act. The wolf queen when she came back the wolf hounds surged forward to welcome her. But since it has been 50 years since the evil prince died, the kingdom is in trouble! But the wolf queen and her prince will come and fix it! The ending sentence made me bawl: ““Yes, my queen. I have returned to ask you again. Our kingdom has failed and our people starve. You must return to bring light and hope.” Cethlenn sat on the rock beside Lir, resting her back gently against what had been Lasvarg’s body. “I will think on it, Prince Lir, but first I have a request to make of you.” “Anything,” said Lir. “Anything that a man may do, I shall do.” Cethlenn smiled again. “It has been such a long time since we sat on these same rocks and shared a meal, so I wonder if you might cook me a fish.” Lir laughed at this. He was happy to prepare honey fish for them both, and as they talked, laughed, and cried, the heat trapped inside the dragon’s mighty chest kept them warm through the night.”
August 21, 2023
The illustrations are what pulled me deeper into the story. The text is written in a classic format, reminiscing of old world mythology and legends. An in-depth story that does not always shine light on the good of the world, but shows how the dark can be powerful. However, I had wanted the ending to have happened in Chapter 6 but I was more happy. The rest of the story was rushed, but the ending is clever. A bit of girl power in-between the masculine main characters.
January 2, 2024
Gorgeously illustrated Fairy tale! A joy to read!
October 10, 2024
This was an extra Christmas present from an independent local bookshop that my partner got for me and I absolutely loved it. Dragons - do we need any more than that? The only acceptable answer is NO
April 12, 2025
reread april 2025: still feels like a fairytale!
og review:
Did not expect this to be so sad, but also very beautiful
og review:
Did not expect this to be so sad, but also very beautiful
October 8, 2023
What worked:
This book reads like a fairy tale as it even begins with “Once there was a prince…” It’s possible to read it in one sitting. Prince Lir lives with his stepmother, the queen, but his stepbrother Prince Delbayne has evil plans to become king. Rulers of the kingdom have traditionally displayed control over hellhounds and Lir hasn’t displayed anything close to that ability. Delbayne masters blood magic and has bewitched his mother to send Lir, rightful heir to the throne, away from the kingdom forever. Lir’s only hope of returning is to complete a quest to rescue a maiden from the dragon Lasvarg. Will Lir live happily ever after?
The beautiful illustrations creatively blend with the narrative to depict Lir’s quest in pictures. I’m not an expert when it comes to art. However, the use of mostly pastel colors elicits a mysterious, magical tone that matches the events in the story. The illustrator catches the mannerisms and expressions of the characters, including Lasvarg, which enhances their descriptions. There’s a balance between realism and abstract so the images are easily understood without being too detailed. The illustrations come in a variety of sizes ranging from small corner spots to full, two-page layouts. They wonderfully enhance the story for young readers to make reading the book a magical experience.
The highlight of the book is LIr’s character and his relationship with Lavarg. Despite being a prince, Lir has no desire to rule the kingdom and would rather learn and study science. He has a creative, logical mind as exhibited while completing tasks before the formerly terrifying dragon. He decides it’s a terrible idea to attempt dangerous, life-threatening tasks and chooses to find ways to actually help Lasvarg. He’s able to utilize resources in new ways to create practical inventions. Lir’s new attitude toward defeating the dragon keeps Lasvarg from eating him right away and the pair develop a unique connection as a result.
What didn’t work as well:
The book’s ending almost feels like an epilogue, although it’s not, but the resolution is left to readers’ imaginations. The author might have left the story with a more predictable future to help readers with closure. As it is, the plot could easily lead into a sequel although I don’t know if that’s in the plans.
The final verdict:
The fairytale-like format makes the plot easy to follow as young readers have an idea of what to expect. The author includes his own twists to keep the story fresh and entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot.
This book reads like a fairy tale as it even begins with “Once there was a prince…” It’s possible to read it in one sitting. Prince Lir lives with his stepmother, the queen, but his stepbrother Prince Delbayne has evil plans to become king. Rulers of the kingdom have traditionally displayed control over hellhounds and Lir hasn’t displayed anything close to that ability. Delbayne masters blood magic and has bewitched his mother to send Lir, rightful heir to the throne, away from the kingdom forever. Lir’s only hope of returning is to complete a quest to rescue a maiden from the dragon Lasvarg. Will Lir live happily ever after?
The beautiful illustrations creatively blend with the narrative to depict Lir’s quest in pictures. I’m not an expert when it comes to art. However, the use of mostly pastel colors elicits a mysterious, magical tone that matches the events in the story. The illustrator catches the mannerisms and expressions of the characters, including Lasvarg, which enhances their descriptions. There’s a balance between realism and abstract so the images are easily understood without being too detailed. The illustrations come in a variety of sizes ranging from small corner spots to full, two-page layouts. They wonderfully enhance the story for young readers to make reading the book a magical experience.
The highlight of the book is LIr’s character and his relationship with Lavarg. Despite being a prince, Lir has no desire to rule the kingdom and would rather learn and study science. He has a creative, logical mind as exhibited while completing tasks before the formerly terrifying dragon. He decides it’s a terrible idea to attempt dangerous, life-threatening tasks and chooses to find ways to actually help Lasvarg. He’s able to utilize resources in new ways to create practical inventions. Lir’s new attitude toward defeating the dragon keeps Lasvarg from eating him right away and the pair develop a unique connection as a result.
What didn’t work as well:
The book’s ending almost feels like an epilogue, although it’s not, but the resolution is left to readers’ imaginations. The author might have left the story with a more predictable future to help readers with closure. As it is, the plot could easily lead into a sequel although I don’t know if that’s in the plans.
The final verdict:
The fairytale-like format makes the plot easy to follow as young readers have an idea of what to expect. The author includes his own twists to keep the story fresh and entertaining and I recommend you give it a shot.
May 11, 2024
Summary:
Three Tasks for a Dragon follows the heroic quest of clever Prince Lir, who is tricked by his stepfamily into to appearing unworthy of ruling the kingdom, as magic was used to prevent him from summoning the wolfhounds. With his step-brother to take the throne, he sets out on a rescue mission, invoking the ancient practice of being set three tasks by a Lasvarg the dragon to get both him and the maiden, Cethlenn, out alive. However, dark magic lurks around every corner and nothing is as it seems. Is Lir the true hero of the tale after all?
The Specifics of the Edition:
I read the hardback, published by Walker Books at the end of 2023. This edition sports a beautiful dustjacket with shiny writing, patterned endpapers and a hidden wrap-around cover on the physical book. It is beautiful as a physical object, that would make for an excellent gift.
My thoughts:
Three Tasks for a Dragon is written in the style of a traditional fairytale, sweeping the reader into the magical world with the fateful “Once upon a time”. In narrative structure, it was reminiscent of a classical children’s fantasy with imagery of Arthurian myth, whist still maintaining fresh twists from the author. It is a beautiful picture book, the dense passages of text complimented with drawings of different sizes and a muted colour scheme: each image was varied and rich, expanding on the lyrical text, rather than undermining it.
If you have any fantasy-adoring young people in your life (or someone you hope to convert!), I highly recommend getting them a copy of this gorgeous tale. Due to the longer passages of writing, I think it would be suitable for an independent reader of around eight years, but I’m sure it would be well-received by both those younger and older, as it almost transcends an age category in its fairytale-like telling.
The identity of characters was an interesting theme, with each one going through a unique arc. I liked how the classic trope of a knight saving a maiden was inverted in a more unusual way and thought the open-ended way the story finished worked well in this instance...
Read the rest of my review here: https://thesilentreviewerblog.wordpre...
Three Tasks for a Dragon follows the heroic quest of clever Prince Lir, who is tricked by his stepfamily into to appearing unworthy of ruling the kingdom, as magic was used to prevent him from summoning the wolfhounds. With his step-brother to take the throne, he sets out on a rescue mission, invoking the ancient practice of being set three tasks by a Lasvarg the dragon to get both him and the maiden, Cethlenn, out alive. However, dark magic lurks around every corner and nothing is as it seems. Is Lir the true hero of the tale after all?
The Specifics of the Edition:
I read the hardback, published by Walker Books at the end of 2023. This edition sports a beautiful dustjacket with shiny writing, patterned endpapers and a hidden wrap-around cover on the physical book. It is beautiful as a physical object, that would make for an excellent gift.
My thoughts:
Three Tasks for a Dragon is written in the style of a traditional fairytale, sweeping the reader into the magical world with the fateful “Once upon a time”. In narrative structure, it was reminiscent of a classical children’s fantasy with imagery of Arthurian myth, whist still maintaining fresh twists from the author. It is a beautiful picture book, the dense passages of text complimented with drawings of different sizes and a muted colour scheme: each image was varied and rich, expanding on the lyrical text, rather than undermining it.
If you have any fantasy-adoring young people in your life (or someone you hope to convert!), I highly recommend getting them a copy of this gorgeous tale. Due to the longer passages of writing, I think it would be suitable for an independent reader of around eight years, but I’m sure it would be well-received by both those younger and older, as it almost transcends an age category in its fairytale-like telling.
The identity of characters was an interesting theme, with each one going through a unique arc. I liked how the classic trope of a knight saving a maiden was inverted in a more unusual way and thought the open-ended way the story finished worked well in this instance...
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March 22, 2025
Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer is an unexpected gem—elegant in its simplicity, rich in heart, and elevated by the truly stunning artwork of P.J. Lynch. My middle schooler and I read this together in one sitting, and by the end, we both just sat with it quietly for a moment, taking it all in. It’s that kind of book—the kind that leaves you feeling a little softer and a little more hopeful.
At first glance, it sounds like a traditional quest: a young prince, a girl held by a dragon, and three impossible tasks. But what Colfer gives us instead is a gentle unraveling of fantasy tropes. Prince Lir isn’t your standard sword-swinging hero—he’s bookish, unsure of himself, and, frankly, not expected to succeed. The dragon, Lasvarg, isn’t a villain. And the “damsel in distress,” Cethlenn, is far more than a prize.
What unfolds is a story about empathy, thoughtfulness, and the quiet kind of bravery. Rather than fighting the dragon, Lir offers help. Rather than claiming glory, he builds trust. And together—with Cethlenn and even Lasvarg—they shape something unexpected and beautiful.
As much as we loved the story itself, I have to say: the artwork is breathtaking. Every page feels like it could be framed and hung on a wall. The expressions, the landscapes, the mood—it all adds so much to the experience of reading. My child lingered over each illustration, and even I found myself pausing just to admire the details. It’s one of those rare cases where the art doesn’t just support the text—it completes it.
This is a shorter book, perfect for a cozy evening read, but it doesn’t feel slight. In just over 100 pages, Colfer manages to explore themes of kindness, self-worth, and the power of choosing connection over conflict. It sparked a great conversation with my child about what makes someone brave, and how stories don’t always have to follow the expected path to be powerful.
This book is a quiet wonder. It’s ideal for thoughtful middle-grade readers who appreciate gentle fantasy and rich emotional storytelling. If your child enjoys tales that twist tradition and celebrate unexpected heroes, this one is a must.
Five stars for a story that’s as tender as it is timeless—and for artwork that brings every page to life.
At first glance, it sounds like a traditional quest: a young prince, a girl held by a dragon, and three impossible tasks. But what Colfer gives us instead is a gentle unraveling of fantasy tropes. Prince Lir isn’t your standard sword-swinging hero—he’s bookish, unsure of himself, and, frankly, not expected to succeed. The dragon, Lasvarg, isn’t a villain. And the “damsel in distress,” Cethlenn, is far more than a prize.
What unfolds is a story about empathy, thoughtfulness, and the quiet kind of bravery. Rather than fighting the dragon, Lir offers help. Rather than claiming glory, he builds trust. And together—with Cethlenn and even Lasvarg—they shape something unexpected and beautiful.
As much as we loved the story itself, I have to say: the artwork is breathtaking. Every page feels like it could be framed and hung on a wall. The expressions, the landscapes, the mood—it all adds so much to the experience of reading. My child lingered over each illustration, and even I found myself pausing just to admire the details. It’s one of those rare cases where the art doesn’t just support the text—it completes it.
This is a shorter book, perfect for a cozy evening read, but it doesn’t feel slight. In just over 100 pages, Colfer manages to explore themes of kindness, self-worth, and the power of choosing connection over conflict. It sparked a great conversation with my child about what makes someone brave, and how stories don’t always have to follow the expected path to be powerful.
This book is a quiet wonder. It’s ideal for thoughtful middle-grade readers who appreciate gentle fantasy and rich emotional storytelling. If your child enjoys tales that twist tradition and celebrate unexpected heroes, this one is a must.
Five stars for a story that’s as tender as it is timeless—and for artwork that brings every page to life.
June 12, 2023
Ancient tales of dragons and knights echo through a hero with a different twist and an adventure, which hums the magic of a fairy tale.
Prince Lir is to inherit the throne, but he's not the war-like king many are accustom to. When his stepmother lays her plan to bring her own son to the crown, Lir's forced to take on a quest to prove his worth. A dangerous dragon holds a maiden captive, and somehow, Prince Lir has to find a way to free her. But instead of just a dragon, the prince soon finds that there's much more sinister magic at play.
With an atmosphere reminiscent to King Arthur's or Saint George's tales, this book swings into a prince and dragon fairy tale with a layer of magic. The writing style leans in this more traditional direction and is told in narrated form. The characters do draw in, are sympathetic, and easy to root for until the end. The plot twists and turns with surprises, and while some aspects are predictable, others are hard to see coming. There is heart as well as some food for thought woven in as the characters use heart and thought over force to achieve goals. The ending is unexpected and had me wondering if there will be a continuation, but it does wrap up things well enough to leave a little left for readers' dreams.
Each page is beautifully illustrated, which is a special treat for the audience level. It adds to the text and helps to build the world in all the best ways. Especially the dragon is well done and had me flipping through the pages a few times just to enjoy the artwork.
While this is sold as a read for middle graders, the writing is geared toward the upper end of this age group and will appeal better to slightly older readers, ages twelve and up. Knight, kingdom, magic, and dragons fans are sure to enjoy this one quite a bit. I received a DRC through Edelweiss and found it to be a gorgeous read.
Prince Lir is to inherit the throne, but he's not the war-like king many are accustom to. When his stepmother lays her plan to bring her own son to the crown, Lir's forced to take on a quest to prove his worth. A dangerous dragon holds a maiden captive, and somehow, Prince Lir has to find a way to free her. But instead of just a dragon, the prince soon finds that there's much more sinister magic at play.
With an atmosphere reminiscent to King Arthur's or Saint George's tales, this book swings into a prince and dragon fairy tale with a layer of magic. The writing style leans in this more traditional direction and is told in narrated form. The characters do draw in, are sympathetic, and easy to root for until the end. The plot twists and turns with surprises, and while some aspects are predictable, others are hard to see coming. There is heart as well as some food for thought woven in as the characters use heart and thought over force to achieve goals. The ending is unexpected and had me wondering if there will be a continuation, but it does wrap up things well enough to leave a little left for readers' dreams.
Each page is beautifully illustrated, which is a special treat for the audience level. It adds to the text and helps to build the world in all the best ways. Especially the dragon is well done and had me flipping through the pages a few times just to enjoy the artwork.
While this is sold as a read for middle graders, the writing is geared toward the upper end of this age group and will appeal better to slightly older readers, ages twelve and up. Knight, kingdom, magic, and dragons fans are sure to enjoy this one quite a bit. I received a DRC through Edelweiss and found it to be a gorgeous read.
August 8, 2024
Lir, the exiled prince, is not the typical knight on a quest. He is an observer and a scientist, not a warrior.
The maiden to be rescued is also atypical; and not just because she doesn't need to be rescued.
I enjoyed discovering how Lir was going to accomplish each of his three challenges. At the same time the relationship between the three also begins to develop and the characters evolve.
As far as I'm concerned, dragon stories are like pizza. Even a bad one is still good.
However, something happens near the last chapter that seemed pointless.
The last chapter almost made this a 2-star review, but dragons (and wolfhounds) automatically earn a star.
The maiden to be rescued is also atypical; and not just because she doesn't need to be rescued.
I enjoyed discovering how Lir was going to accomplish each of his three challenges. At the same time the relationship between the three also begins to develop and the characters evolve.
As far as I'm concerned, dragon stories are like pizza. Even a bad one is still good.
However, something happens near the last chapter that seemed pointless.
The last chapter almost made this a 2-star review, but dragons (and wolfhounds) automatically earn a star.
October 31, 2023
A beautiful picture book that is just over 100 pages. This is targeted to ages 8 to 12 and would be a beautiful read aloud. The vocabulary is robust and the illustrations are breathtaking. While strong readers would certainly enjoy on their own, I think there are so many opportunities for discussion, this is one you'll want to talk about with someone.
Lir is the crown prince, but after his father dies, his stepmother and stepbrother conspire to steal his crown. Not content to banish him, they send him on a quest to save Cethlenn, certain he will be eaten by a dragon. When Lir arrives, he identifies three tasks that make him indispensable to the and with those tasks he heals and frees the dragon, creating a friend and ally. Cethlenn is much more than she seems and will play a large part in rescuing all three of them.
There are so many opportunities for rich discussion. How did Lir identify tasks that benefitted the dragon? Why is it important to keep our minds and bodies unclouded from influences? What do you think Cethlenn's background is? Where do her powers come from?
This is open for a sequel, and I hope there is one. I'd love to explore more of Cethlenn's history.
I received this review book from Granite School District.
Lir is the crown prince, but after his father dies, his stepmother and stepbrother conspire to steal his crown. Not content to banish him, they send him on a quest to save Cethlenn, certain he will be eaten by a dragon. When Lir arrives, he identifies three tasks that make him indispensable to the and with those tasks he heals and frees the dragon, creating a friend and ally. Cethlenn is much more than she seems and will play a large part in rescuing all three of them.
There are so many opportunities for rich discussion. How did Lir identify tasks that benefitted the dragon? Why is it important to keep our minds and bodies unclouded from influences? What do you think Cethlenn's background is? Where do her powers come from?
This is open for a sequel, and I hope there is one. I'd love to explore more of Cethlenn's history.
I received this review book from Granite School District.
February 18, 2024
When I received this book for a tour, I fell in love with the illustration and I just had to read it too. Is it a children’s book? Yes. Is it suitable for small children? Yes, although they may ask what some words mean. Is it suitable for middle grades? Yes. Is it entertaining and fun for adults with no children? Yes.
Prince Lir is next in line to become the Wolfhound King, but his stepmother decrees that her own son will inherit the crown instead, sending Lir away on a seemingly impossible and mostly likely fatal quest: to rescue the maiden Cethlenn from the dragon Lasvarg. Will Lir rescue Cethlenn from Lasvarg or will she rescue him?
I just read a children’s book and I am not ashamed of it. It was so much fun and such an entertaining story with dragons, a damsel that may or may not be in distress, a prince that is more of a scientist than a knight, and of course an evil step-brother. The illustrations are gorgeous!
This isn’t just a picture book. This book comes in at just a little over 100 pages and trust me, you aren’t going to want this story to end. Eoin Colfer weaves an adventurous story for children and adults alike with a feminist twist, which I loved seeing in a fantasy book! Now I want to read all of his Artemis Fowl books!
Prince Lir is next in line to become the Wolfhound King, but his stepmother decrees that her own son will inherit the crown instead, sending Lir away on a seemingly impossible and mostly likely fatal quest: to rescue the maiden Cethlenn from the dragon Lasvarg. Will Lir rescue Cethlenn from Lasvarg or will she rescue him?
I just read a children’s book and I am not ashamed of it. It was so much fun and such an entertaining story with dragons, a damsel that may or may not be in distress, a prince that is more of a scientist than a knight, and of course an evil step-brother. The illustrations are gorgeous!
This isn’t just a picture book. This book comes in at just a little over 100 pages and trust me, you aren’t going to want this story to end. Eoin Colfer weaves an adventurous story for children and adults alike with a feminist twist, which I loved seeing in a fantasy book! Now I want to read all of his Artemis Fowl books!
December 20, 2023
Three Tasks for a Dragon is a children's middle-grade novel that is larger than the average size book, more picture book size. It is hardbacked and contains seven chapters of a tale as old as time complete with amazing artwork.
The book is a fantasy about a prince (Lir) who lived in the kingdom of Lagin. His step mother thought he was a disappointment and as such told him that he wouldn't be the successor to the throne, her own son would be. She also ordered him to leave and never return, however, he was thrown a life line by his step brother who said that if he completed a quest he may return as the law states he shall be granted shelter.
The quest was to locate and return a young woman who had been take by a great dragon.
The book is beautifully presented and the story intriguing and entertaining. I loved the artwork that was a little muted in colour to complement the time the story is set.
Whilst I think it is a lovely read I am unsure about the size of the book but then you wouldn't get the illustrations as they are in a normal novel sized book.
Overall, this would make a fabulous gift for a child who loves fantasy and fairy tales.
The book is a fantasy about a prince (Lir) who lived in the kingdom of Lagin. His step mother thought he was a disappointment and as such told him that he wouldn't be the successor to the throne, her own son would be. She also ordered him to leave and never return, however, he was thrown a life line by his step brother who said that if he completed a quest he may return as the law states he shall be granted shelter.
The quest was to locate and return a young woman who had been take by a great dragon.
The book is beautifully presented and the story intriguing and entertaining. I loved the artwork that was a little muted in colour to complement the time the story is set.
Whilst I think it is a lovely read I am unsure about the size of the book but then you wouldn't get the illustrations as they are in a normal novel sized book.
Overall, this would make a fabulous gift for a child who loves fantasy and fairy tales.
January 24, 2024
Prince Lir is sent to the Isle of Salt to rescue a maiden stolen by the dragon who lives there. When he arrives, he finds an aged dragon who can no longer fly or breathe fire living in a damp cave. Lir proposes that he perform three tasks in order to rescue the maiden (assuming that she wants to be rescued; she herself is not sure on this point yet) and proceeds to improve the dragon's living space and heal his injured wing, while learning more about the duplicity of his stepbrother who sent him to the island. One final revelation leads to a grand confrontation, but his stepbrother has been practicing evil magic, and his power may be beyond even that of Lir and the dragon...
This is a new tale told in an old voice, written in the style of fairy tales and high fantasy. The detailed art that accompanies the text is one of the highlights of the book. I didn't feel that the story flowed well, for all that it was short, but perhaps that's just because the ending was more complex and tragic than most children's stories. I think adults might enjoy this book most, though I'm sure some dragon-loving children will be fascinated as well.
This is a new tale told in an old voice, written in the style of fairy tales and high fantasy. The detailed art that accompanies the text is one of the highlights of the book. I didn't feel that the story flowed well, for all that it was short, but perhaps that's just because the ending was more complex and tragic than most children's stories. I think adults might enjoy this book most, though I'm sure some dragon-loving children will be fascinated as well.
September 8, 2023
I received an ARC from Edelweiss and Candlewick. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Middle grade (7-12)
I absolutely adore these illustrations! They go through the book and are wonderful! Special kudos goes to P.J. Lynch for these.
The story is fun for middle graders.
There's:
Deception
Betrayal
Honor
Obviously, a dragon
Wolfhounds
Loyalty
A fair maiden
The called one
This book took a twist that I didn't know was coming—and that was a fun moment. Truly, all is lost. I enjoyed the light feminist twist to the story and think readers will too.
If I'd been in charge, I would have skipped the term "hell-for-leather" because this is for young readers and because it's a cliché—I love Colfer's novels and know he could have thought of something more original.
I thought the length and accessibility to this story is great, especially for reluctant readers. The classic tropes work because it's a short novel and are familiar for the audience. The pace is lightning fast.
I recommend this book.
Happy reading!
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Middle grade (7-12)
I absolutely adore these illustrations! They go through the book and are wonderful! Special kudos goes to P.J. Lynch for these.
The story is fun for middle graders.
There's:
Deception
Betrayal
Honor
Obviously, a dragon
Wolfhounds
Loyalty
A fair maiden
The called one
This book took a twist that I didn't know was coming—and that was a fun moment. Truly, all is lost. I enjoyed the light feminist twist to the story and think readers will too.
If I'd been in charge, I would have skipped the term "hell-for-leather" because this is for young readers and because it's a cliché—I love Colfer's novels and know he could have thought of something more original.
I thought the length and accessibility to this story is great, especially for reluctant readers. The classic tropes work because it's a short novel and are familiar for the audience. The pace is lightning fast.
I recommend this book.
Happy reading!
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