Blood Brothers

Dragonkeeper #4

by Carole Wilkinson

The next instalment in the internationally best-selling and award-winning Dragonkeeper series.

The year is 325. The powerful Han Dynasty is a distant memory and tribes of barbarian soldiers fight over what was once the Empire. It is a dangerous time. Kai is 465 years old – a teenager in dragon years. He is searching for the person predestined to be his dragonkeeper. Kai’s search has led him to a Buddhist novice named Tao. But Tao is certain he is not the one; he has no interest in caring for a difficult dragon. He believes his path lies in another direction. But Tao must learn to listen to the voice within himself and that no journey ever reveals its true purpose until it is over.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Dragons, Childrens, Middle Grade, Historical, Young Adult

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Carole was born in England in 1950. Her family moved to Australia when she was 12. She now lives in Melbourne, with her husband John.
Carole didn't start writing until she was nearly 40. Before that, she worked as a laboratory assistant, working with a lot of blood and brains. Once she’d decided to try and become a writer, she went to university. She wrote a lot while she was there including her first novel. She showed it to a friend who worked in publishing who asked if she could write a teenage novel. Her first published book was based on something her daughter, who was at high school at the time, was doing.


Carole says she has lots of ideas and so far she’s never had 'writers' block'. She might have got a late start, but she’s been trying to make up for lost time and has written more than 30 books, some short stories, a telemovie and some TV and planetarium scripts.

Reviews

[Booknut 101]

'A 'Buddhist novice'...hmm. Is it just me or does this:

Remind you of this:


Avatar the Last Airbender...continues!! (lol :))

[Sagittarius Scholar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.9

This book was great while it lasted. The plot and characters were awesome, but my true problem with this book was that I couldn't remember it. It's been about a month since I've read this book but I don't remember much about it which makes me quite sad.

The thing is, I know if a book deserves a 5 star rating when a month or so later I can still remember a majority of the plot, so yeah.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit I was nervous about Blood Brothers and it following a different dragon keeper. However, Tao is a sweet character. He is different enough from Ping while still being just as likeable and makes for a great lead in this sequel trilogy. Maybe the most interesting element is Tao's Buddhism, and the dynamic between his life as a monk and new dragonkeeper role.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why 3 stars? Because it was a slow read. It took awhile to get to the good parts as they say. It felt like the plots are jumping from one topic to another. Not sure whether the next one will be better. But at least, I manage to finish it, better yet I have the inclination to finish it and believe me that is a good thing. Because if a book/story turns me off, sigh...sad to say it will rot there on the shelf forever cause to me there are far more interesting story to be read, why waste time.
What this story taught me...life will blind-side you no matter how we planned it out. Make the best out of a bad situation and what didn't kill you will only make you strong. Lastly, you only have two choices, either things will make you or break you...the choice is yours.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tao is a novice monk, he’s the abbots favourite in the small Yinmi Monastry that sat hidden in mist high in the mountains. He was attentive to his duties, including transcribing the sutra, the Vinaya are rules that the Buddha had set down. His other privileges included lessons in Sanskrit by the old monk Lao Chen. All this quiet and contemplative life was to earn him good Karma to bestow on his brother, who’m he hoped would be cured of a malady that he’d suffered from birth. Wei Wei was his twin brother.

While running to complete his tasks after having slept in Tao ran into a boy monk about his age in old fashioned clothes. He tried to usher the boy away as he couldn’t go inside the holy place. That’s when the other boy shimmered and changed shape, he became a green dragon. Tao was sick in the bushes. The dragon followed him. Tao realised the dragon was injured an he could help heal the creature.

The Abbott sent Tao to collect Alms in the city of Luoyang, the city that had been raided and burnt to the ground. Tao didn’t expect people there to be able to share food with him. The silent boy, was sent to travel with him. Tao knew this boy was a dragon in disguise.

Tao had never broken the precepts before and although he tried not to, he lost his cloth for sieving water, so it was pure. He met a girl called Pema who he shouldn’t have spent time with. The girl ate meat and stole. Both were forbidden to Tao. The dragon started talking to Tao in his mind. His name was Kai. They continued the dangerous journey together while bands of barbarians roamed the country.

Carole Wilkinson realised that dragons live a very long time, so she wrote this story in an era of turbulent history in China. I loved this book and this series.

[Joanna Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 4th book of Dragonkeeper is Blood Brothers.
Tao is the main character and he would never hurt an ant, or any living thing.Tao has a disabled brother named Wei, who has special abilities. Tao lives at a hidden monastry in the mountains of China.
This book is about danger and adventure. I think that people over the age of seven, who like dragons would really like this book. In my opinion, the writer of this book could have improved, by putting a little more danger and mystery in it. BUT I STILL REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, LIKE THIS BOOK !!!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second story arc of Tao and Kai more than Ping in the first series. It's not very often that I like a second arc more than the first but I did. It's because I felt that there was more action and excitement as well as a few plot twists here and there that did surprise me a little. Tao also feels a bit more relate able and his friendship dynamic with Kai was nice.

[Fuzzball Baggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, but not as good as the first trilogy. I didn't really care about any of the characters and that made it boring.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAVOURITE SERIES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD

[S. Knight]

breddy gud

[[ J o ]]

[ read the first book in the series, 'Crystal Rain', and did not enjoy, therefore will not be continuing with the series ]

[Nikolas Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a change of read without Ping, however the more I read the better it got

[Tayah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me I suppose. Maybe its just too different from the previous books, but I was unable to get invested in the story.

[Darcie Threlfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Easy to understand. I was skeptical of the time skip, and worried I would miss the last protagonist but the book pulled through and I really enjoyed it.

[Ernie]

Once again I enjoy Wilkinson’s research and her convincing historical setting which now supports the story of the Buddhist period in which Tao sees a statue of the Buddha for the first time, is appalled by the un-Buddhist behaviour of a charlatan Abbot who wants to build a golden pagoda and get the support of the barbarian leader.
And of course, there are dragons, especially Kai, who at 466 years old is in a petulant, adolescent stage. He has chosen Tao to be his dragon keeper but at first they cannot talk to each other and Tao, being a novice in a remote monastery, has no social skills. Enter, from the ruined cellars and cisterns of the city a twelve year old girl, Pema who rescues them from the nomad attack and is bent on a very un-Buddhist revenge.
I enjoyed Wilkinson’s closely woven carpet of a story in which the violence of the nomads, the magical powers of the dragons and the pacific precepts of the Buddhists are kept in constantly interesting patterns of action. As usual, the dragons are totally believable and fascinating, especially with the conceit of Kai’s adolescent mood swings. Years 7-8 will enjoy this easily read fantasy, turn the pages with the action and absorb a good introduction to one of the pillars of Asian culture.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter found this 4th book in the Dragon Keeper series and brought it home for me to read. I liked it, but not quite as well as the first three. Set 400 years after the third book, the dragon, Kai, is out looking for his next Dragon Keeper. Kai finds the boy he is looking for, but the boy is not interested. He is a novice in a Buddhist monastery and is working hard at accumulating karma for the benefit of his brother. In spite of his disinterest, the boy is soon involved in the adventures that seem to follow Kai everywhere.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story!

I'm so happy that the dragonkeeper series is continuing. It was heartbreaking to see Ping farewell Kai. This new adventure with Tao certainly lifted my spirits with this series. I remember reading dragon keeper in year 5-6. Four years later I still find the new storyling so easy to get back into. I can't wait for the next release. For those who haven't read this you cannot miss this book. A story for all ages I believe.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Dragon keeper series, this novel is set some 500 years after Ping helps the young dragon Kai. It is now Tao's turn to help and care for the dragon, who has decided that Tao will be his next dragonkeeper. Tao is a descendent of Ping, and seems to have all the requirements - foresight, left handedness, but he is conflicted by his Buddhist teachings and the fact that he is a young monk. After many adventures, the pair set of together - and the scene is set for future novels.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read the first 3 books about Kai. This one is set after those stories. Tao is set on becoming a monk; he follows the precepts (similar to the Ten Commandments) and is learning the sutras (prayers). What happens when Kai meets him? Will Kai be able to remain faithful to his Budhist ways?
First book in a set of three. Give this one to those who are looking for a story or series about dragons.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edit: I actually really liked it the second time around.

After being so engrossed in the trilogy, it's hard to read something that includes Kai but excludes Ping, having grown old. I truly struggled to enjoy this book and I'm unsure of that was because of the absence of Ping or whichever reason. I've tried to read this book several times and I just couldn't get into it so... this is actually an unfinished "read". (2 stars)

[Renee Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and happy to know the story continues.
In this installment, the emperor and Ping (dragon keeper) are long gone and Kai is a young dragon finding his way in the world. Kai finds a descendant of Ping and together they share many adventures, some good, some bad. Both young and loners, they must learn loyalty, honesty and friendship to survive.

[Michael Earp · Rating 4 out of 5]

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in April 2103 but I thought I would read it again as volume 6 of the series is coming out in March this year.

Kai the dragon, is now 466 years old and meets up with some new human characters.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good now that Ping's gone but still pretty good.

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book

[Madreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!!!!!!!!

[George Ivanoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Dragonkeeper book. I hope there will be more.

[Amisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good, though it was easy...

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

i hope there is more adventures ahead. this story pulled at the heart strings. fantastically written. i couldn't put it down towards the end.

[EmmmaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loves this book, although I enjoyed the first 3 more