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rosiesnow's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
yuzureads's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
curiiously's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bkoser's review
3.0
I think the author tried too hard with the pastiche/crossover elements in this one. As much as I like Greek mythology, here it was confusing and unnecessary; cutting it out would have really improved the story.
Unfortunately the clunky dialog and characters continue from the first book, but I wasn't able to overlook them as much this time.
The third book is my brother's favorite in the series, so I'll read that one and then probably be done.
2.5 stars
Unfortunately the clunky dialog and characters continue from the first book, but I wasn't able to overlook them as much this time.
The third book is my brother's favorite in the series, so I'll read that one and then probably be done.
2.5 stars
tmleblanc's review
5.0
A few years ago I discovered the novel Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen. This is the first book in the 7 books series known as the “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” which follows the lives of Jack, John and Charles as they battle the forces of evil in an effort to save the World. Quite a tall order for three unknown gentlemen from Oxford.
This is a wonderful series of books that draws on many of the known myths and histories laid out in our most treasured stories. The books mix elements of time travel and fantasy to produce a rich and dense forest of interconnected story lines–both real and fictional–that keep you moving forward to discover the Grand Reveal at the end of book seven, The First Dragon. The artwork at the start of each chapter is also stunning! That’s right, each chapter in every single novel of this series is illuminated. Each image is hand drawn by the author himself.
By the third book in the series, The Indigo King, the plot gets a bit complicated and becomes one of those time travel books/series that will keep your mind spinning and trying to work it all out. The shear number of the characters with their similar names and the overlapping, intertwining timelines also cause the mind to spin a bit. However, I stuck it out after a confusing third book and thoroughly enjoyed book 4, The Shadow Dragons, and book 5, The Dragon’s Apprentice, which set the series up for the what I hoped would be a fantastic finish. Book 6, The Dragons of Winter was once again just a s complicated as book 3 and once again confusion set in. However, all was made clear with book 7, The First Dragon. The conclusion was satisfying even if it felt a little rushed with some of the true historical background about the three main Caretakers not being fully fleshed out and shared with the readers.
Overall, I liked “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” by James A. Owen. The world he creates is partially known and brand new. The illustrations provided in each book at the start of every chapter are amazingly detailed. “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” series by James A. Owen gets a thumbs up.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
This is a wonderful series of books that draws on many of the known myths and histories laid out in our most treasured stories. The books mix elements of time travel and fantasy to produce a rich and dense forest of interconnected story lines–both real and fictional–that keep you moving forward to discover the Grand Reveal at the end of book seven, The First Dragon. The artwork at the start of each chapter is also stunning! That’s right, each chapter in every single novel of this series is illuminated. Each image is hand drawn by the author himself.
By the third book in the series, The Indigo King, the plot gets a bit complicated and becomes one of those time travel books/series that will keep your mind spinning and trying to work it all out. The shear number of the characters with their similar names and the overlapping, intertwining timelines also cause the mind to spin a bit. However, I stuck it out after a confusing third book and thoroughly enjoyed book 4, The Shadow Dragons, and book 5, The Dragon’s Apprentice, which set the series up for the what I hoped would be a fantastic finish. Book 6, The Dragons of Winter was once again just a s complicated as book 3 and once again confusion set in. However, all was made clear with book 7, The First Dragon. The conclusion was satisfying even if it felt a little rushed with some of the true historical background about the three main Caretakers not being fully fleshed out and shared with the readers.
Overall, I liked “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” by James A. Owen. The world he creates is partially known and brand new. The illustrations provided in each book at the start of every chapter are amazingly detailed. “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” series by James A. Owen gets a thumbs up.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews.
heatherday916's review
4.0
Another great installment in the fictional series involving real authors and what often comes to be the inspiration for their creations. The story in this installment centered around a mysterious piper, missing children, Peter Pan, and missing dragon ships. It's a difficult series to describe without giving away some of the best gems, but rest assured that you literary types out there will find great enjoyment in identifying the works of literature hidden within the pages. Definitely an excellent book, and I'll be queueing up Book 3 on my Audible account any day now.
tosmeabook27's review
3.0
3.5 Stars, I love how each book weaves together myths and stories that everyone knows to create a solid adventure/ mystery.
Laura Glue was the best character. She has that brutal honesty of a child that keeps you laughing, time and time again.
I can't wait to see what further shenanigans Charles, John and Jack get up to in the other books. I need them to stop being too quick to trust every Tom, Dick, and Harry that says they want to help them in the remaining books!
Laura Glue was the best character. She has that brutal honesty of a child that keeps you laughing, time and time again.
I can't wait to see what further shenanigans Charles, John and Jack get up to in the other books. I need them to stop being too quick to trust every Tom, Dick, and Harry that says they want to help them in the remaining books!
faerietale_princess's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I loved the first book, despite a few flaws. But there was a bit of magic lost in this one, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I guess this one’s plot didn’t hit for me the same way the first one’s did.
I kind of cringed every time the Croatoans were referred to as “Indians”, but I do think having the lost colony be a part of the Archipelago of Dreams was an interesting solution to the mystery.
I did like how the story of The Pied Piper was tied with Peter Pan’s story.
Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
I kind of cringed every time the Croatoans were referred to as “Indians”, but I do think having the lost colony be a part of the Archipelago of Dreams was an interesting solution to the mystery.
I did like how the story of The Pied Piper was tied with Peter Pan’s story.
Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
bookworm_with_a_dragon's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5