Move aside Eragon, Seraphina is here! 

Rachel Hartman’s novel thrills with an intriguing new world of dragons who can take human form but often refuse to do so because of their contempt for experiencing human emotions when in such a state. 

Our story unravels through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Seraphina, who is assistant to the court composer and secretly half-dragon—a secret that forces her to remain guarded from those around her and also to fear for her life because human-dragon relationships are forbidden.  Lonely and at war with her own nature, as Seraphina heart-breakingly genuinely questions whether or not she is a monster, she navigates the complicated, dangerous politics of the court consisting of both dragons and humans.  The sudden murder of the human royal heir seems to point to a dragon and has both sides suspicious of—and wanting to take revenge on—the other.  With her unique half-dragon mind bringing vivid dreams of different people like herself, Seraphina struggles to both discover and come to turn with who she is while hiding in plain sight—or rather, at the side of the Princess, whom she ends up unofficially advising on the sticky and heated human-dragon affairs, and the Princess’ betrothed, handsome Prince Lucian whom Seraphina is surprised to find herself growing close to.  But in Seraphina’s world, any person she lets in might find out who—or what—she is.  And her secret could mean her death.    

"Enough," said Glaedr.

Glaedr seemed possessed of an urge to do something other than sink ever deeper into the all-enveloping morass of his private torments.

"Enough," Glaedr repeated, sounding both weary and exasperated.  "Do you wish to attract unwanted attention?"

"Eragon, you should not spend so much time sparring.  It is distracting you from more important matters.  The sword in Galbatorix's hand is not what you need fear the most, nor the sword in his mouth, but rather the sword in his mind."

"Anyone with the time and inclination can acquire technical proficiency.  To achieve greatness, though, that requires artistry."

"By seeing all and discounting nothing, you may adapt without hesitation to any change.  The warrior who can adapt the easiest to the unexpected is the warrior who will live the longest.

The theme of being able to adjust strategies based upon meditated evaluation is a major theme in this, the final volume of Christopher Paolini's Eragon cycle.  The cycle comes to an end in  Inheritance.  In this final volume, Eragon finally meets his nemesis, Galbatorix.  Eragon's growth as a character will determine if he will be able to follow Glaedr's advice.

This novel starts with a synopsis of all that has transpired in previous novels.  Don't relax, though!  The beginning chapter, "Into the Breach," starts off running in the midst of a battle.  We see familiar faces, Saphira, Arya, Roran, Katrina, Angela, Nasuada, Orrin, Orik, Nar Garzhvog, Elva, Murtagh, etc. and familiar towns that must be breached by the Varden.  Inheritance is a hefty volume and encompasses troubling births, bloody battles, encounters with the priests of Helgrind, kidnappings, werecats, the Rock of Kuthian, and name-finding.  Always in the shadows, though, is the grim shadow of the mad king, Galbatorix.

The showdown with Galbatorix itself made me initially cringe because I saw images of the end of Star Wars:  Return of the Jedi.  However, I am pleased that my initial assumption proved to be incorrect!

Paolini delivers a deliberate and exciting conclusion to his epic saga.  He promises us, though, that he intends on visiting the lands of Alagaesia in the future.  I look forward to further adventures in this sprawling landscape!

Use your imagination to visit a small town called Roundbrook where you will find talking rabbits and even a talking dragon. Kenny & the Dragon written and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi is a delightful fantasy story for elementary school students. Kenny, a curious young rabbit, and his parents make friends with Grahame, a gentle dragon who loves poetry and fine desserts. Unfortunately, the other residents of the small town Roundbrook are suspicious and even frightened of Grahame. What can Kenny do to make sure that his new friend doesn’t get hurt? This book is also available in audio cd format. 

The Tale of Hill Top Farm is the first book of the series and The Tale of Oat Cake Crag is the last one chronologically, 1905-1912. More books in the series are still being written. The series covers the time period between the death of her fiancée and publisher of her books, Norman Warne (who died a month after their engagement), and her eventual marriage to William Heelis in 1913. The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter is a magical blend of biography (of Beatrix Potter), talking village and farm animals and their lives (natural science), fairies and dragons (fantasy), all wrapped up in mysteries to solve. The animals usually know “who-did-it” before the villagers do and usually try to communicate the complete story to the villagers who only hear barks, meows, squeaks, moos or quacks. For a fun entertaining multi-faceted read, rush to the mystery fiction book shelf for The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert.

One night the Good Knight is keeping watch from the castle’s “crumbly tumbly tower” when all of a sudden he hears a very loud roar.  The Good Knight hops on his horse and “clippety- clop, clippety clop” away he gallops to investigate.   He soon discovers the roar is coming from a dark cave.  Inside are three little dragons who cannot sleep.  The chivalrous knight offers to help even though his patience is tried by many requests from the demanding little dragons.  A sweet solution is finally reached and everyone finally says, “Good Night”. Beginning readers will enjoy the humor, repetition, brief sentences and the word play on “Knight” and “Night”.  And of course everyone loves to read about dragons !   Also check out the equally charming sequels by Shelley Moore Thomas:  Happy Birthday, Good Knight and Get Well, Good Knight.

Recently, I watched "How To Train Your Dragon" with my kids, and we all love it.

It is not only very entertaining for kids but also for adults. I haven't seen a kid's

movie that good for a long time. I gave it five stars!!! Also, I found out it is based on a

book by Cressida Cowell.