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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
2.5--It's been a while since I've read the first book in this series, but I remember enjoying it. I'm disappointed with this read but I'll still probably finish the series. I'm holding on to some hope the third will be as good as the first.
2nd book in the Pit Dragon Chronicles filled with plenty of dragon fights and political intrigue.
Where Yolen's earlier Dragon's Blood tells a story of a boy and his (elephantine, fire-breathing) dog, Heart's Blood cracks the world open like a dragon's egg, and pulls no punches in doing so. The series' curious blend of fantasy and science fiction falls somewhat to the wayside as one of the few urban areas of Austar IV, the Rokk, is revealed to Jakkin - seedy underbelly and all.
From the Major Pits to the Stews, and from secret rebel extremist bars to the mountains beyond Sarkkhan's farm, Yolen wastes no time in bringing the reader through a breathtaking (and occasionally nauseating) whirlwind tour of a politically-troubled world caught between the brutal serfdom that constitutes its economy and the promise of a future for all, but at a tremendous cost.
Stylistically, Heart's Blood seems to differ wildly from its earlier counterpart. Jakkin, Akki, Sarkkhan, Likkarn and others still comprise the cast, but are no longer autonomous actors in the world of Austar IV, as the overarching politics of the world are brought to the forefront of the narrative. The storytelling shifts dramatically towards that of a political thriller, and represents a view even more mature than that of the first book in the series - perhaps mirroring Jakkin's growing awareness of the world around him. His dragon, Heart's Blood, takes a back seat throughout much of the book, only returning when plot and tragedy demand it.
For fans of the first book, especially those capable of understanding the roles of mysogyny and slavery in a backwards economy, Heart's Blood offers an even broader look at the fantastical future world that Yolen has envisioned. This view, however, comes at great cost, as she appears apt to make the reader's blood run cold and unabashedly rips seemingly-essential characters away with little notice.
It's a left turn, a new perspective, and - honestly - a bit of a bummer, but it reaffirms the Pit Dragon saga as a whole, continuing the trend of trusting younger readers with more mature themes and refusing to succumb to a generic, happy ending.
From the Major Pits to the Stews, and from secret rebel extremist bars to the mountains beyond Sarkkhan's farm, Yolen wastes no time in bringing the reader through a breathtaking (and occasionally nauseating) whirlwind tour of a politically-troubled world caught between the brutal serfdom that constitutes its economy and the promise of a future for all, but at a tremendous cost.
Stylistically, Heart's Blood seems to differ wildly from its earlier counterpart. Jakkin, Akki, Sarkkhan, Likkarn and others still comprise the cast, but are no longer autonomous actors in the world of Austar IV, as the overarching politics of the world are brought to the forefront of the narrative. The storytelling shifts dramatically towards that of a political thriller, and represents a view even more mature than that of the first book in the series - perhaps mirroring Jakkin's growing awareness of the world around him. His dragon, Heart's Blood, takes a back seat throughout much of the book, only returning when plot and tragedy demand it.
For fans of the first book, especially those capable of understanding the roles of mysogyny and slavery in a backwards economy, Heart's Blood offers an even broader look at the fantastical future world that Yolen has envisioned. This view, however, comes at great cost, as she appears apt to make the reader's blood run cold and unabashedly rips seemingly-essential characters away with little notice.
It's a left turn, a new perspective, and - honestly - a bit of a bummer, but it reaffirms the Pit Dragon saga as a whole, continuing the trend of trusting younger readers with more mature themes and refusing to succumb to a generic, happy ending.
I enjoyed the introduction of the political element, though it was so simplistic - and the conclusion undermines it so effectively - I'm not sure it was worth it. The end was not what I expected at all, which I have mixed feelings about. I feel like it pulled the rug out from under my feet, changing the thrust of the story altogether. It will be interesting to see if the other books make that shift worth it.
The most frustrating element was Akki's shift from a smart, capable young woman to a helpless maiden-in-distress. She suddenly seems incapable of any decision and completely reliant on Jakkin, who should be far more clueless in the situations in this book than she is.
The most frustrating element was Akki's shift from a smart, capable young woman to a helpless maiden-in-distress. She suddenly seems incapable of any decision and completely reliant on Jakkin, who should be far more clueless in the situations in this book than she is.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
This book is horrifying if you're going into it thinking it's a typical "boy and his dragon" story. I don't want to spoil things, so I'll leave it at that. Not my idea of an appealing fantasy novel. Writing is only mediocre and there's a particular scene in star wars that they completely ripped off. It's not pleasant.
I always enjoy Jane Yolen's books; I think she really knows how to craft a story and characters. The Pit Dragon Chronicles is one of my favorite series of hers and it definitely holds up over time. I do think the first couple books are the strongest and then it does tail off a bit after that. There are many dragon stories but this does not feel repetitive or similar to others.
i read the first book in this series as a kid, loved it, and never found the sequels until they popped up on libby last night. i’m not sure the sequels were needed, but it was fun to go back into this world.
It's always weird re-reading books that were important to you when you were much younger, because it seldom has the same resonance again years later, even if you still enjoy it. This is still a good book, and I'm glad it's still in print, but it's certainly not a powerful one for the person I am now, rather than the person I was when I read it thirty-ish years ago.