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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
RATING: 3.5 stars
Another book for which I had high expectations, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman left me somewhat disappointed, although I did enjoy it a lot. Confused? Well, me too.
Originally published as "The Two Pearls of Wisdom" in 2008, this fantasy novel had everything to make me love it: a fantasy world fashioned after the Ancient Civilizations of China and Japan, dragons and some gender bender. What more could I ask? Well, I could ask for a more creative story, that's what.
Don't get me wrong, "Eon" was a pleasure to read (most of the time). I loved the world building, the careful construction of a fictitious kingdom based on several Eastern cultures (mainly China with some Japan thrown in). The attention to detail was amazing, with all the rituals and complicated court protocol presented to the reader.
I also liked the 'magic system', it seemed to be unusual and I thought it was creative that magic practitioners had to be linked with the dragons. Basically I loved the world Goodman built with it's fantastic mythology and great attention to detail (as mentioned before).
When I started reading I immediately remembered the Story of Saiunkoku since that anime was also set on a fantastic kingdom based in Ancient China and there were also guardians represented by colors (in Eon you have colored dragons).
I would have liked to know more about the dragons, their magic and their personal designs (if they have any). They seemed like mere magical beasts sometimes, but there were also glimpses of intelligence. I thought it quite odd that the dragons were basically used to further human ambition when it was clear they were sentient.
So, having established that I loved the world created by the author, what failed? The story, of course. Since the beginning the entire plot involving Eon and the Mirror Dragon was very (and I mean very) predictable, so it was kind of frustrating to see Eon battle for more than 500 pages to understand what was going on when the reader was aware of the solution since almost the first pages. It made me not like Eon very much, I thought he was too clueless and naive at times. He definitely did not enter the role of "hero" from the first which was good because it made him realistic but also bad, because it made him unlikable sometimes.
As for the other characters, I liked Lady Dela and Ryoko, but the rest weren't that developed and as a reader I didn't care much for their fate.
Overall, Eon was a fascinating read in the fantasy genre because the world was atypical and very well constructed. But I also thought the book was too long and the story dragged a bit too much for the complexity of the plot. Still, I enjoyed this read and recommend it for fans of fantasy looking for something a little different (a crossover of Saiunkoku Monogatari with some Mulan). And well, it does have dragons. :)
Another book for which I had high expectations, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman left me somewhat disappointed, although I did enjoy it a lot. Confused? Well, me too.
Originally published as "The Two Pearls of Wisdom" in 2008, this fantasy novel had everything to make me love it: a fantasy world fashioned after the Ancient Civilizations of China and Japan, dragons and some gender bender. What more could I ask? Well, I could ask for a more creative story, that's what.
Don't get me wrong, "Eon" was a pleasure to read (most of the time). I loved the world building, the careful construction of a fictitious kingdom based on several Eastern cultures (mainly China with some Japan thrown in). The attention to detail was amazing, with all the rituals and complicated court protocol presented to the reader.
I also liked the 'magic system', it seemed to be unusual and I thought it was creative that magic practitioners had to be linked with the dragons. Basically I loved the world Goodman built with it's fantastic mythology and great attention to detail (as mentioned before).
When I started reading I immediately remembered the Story of Saiunkoku since that anime was also set on a fantastic kingdom based in Ancient China and there were also guardians represented by colors (in Eon you have colored dragons).
I would have liked to know more about the dragons, their magic and their personal designs (if they have any). They seemed like mere magical beasts sometimes, but there were also glimpses of intelligence. I thought it quite odd that the dragons were basically used to further human ambition when it was clear they were sentient.
So, having established that I loved the world created by the author, what failed? The story, of course. Since the beginning the entire plot involving Eon and the Mirror Dragon was very (and I mean very) predictable, so it was kind of frustrating to see Eon battle for more than 500 pages to understand what was going on when the reader was aware of the solution since almost the first pages. It made me not like Eon very much, I thought he was too clueless and naive at times. He definitely did not enter the role of "hero" from the first which was good because it made him realistic but also bad, because it made him unlikable sometimes.
As for the other characters, I liked Lady Dela and Ryoko, but the rest weren't that developed and as a reader I didn't care much for their fate.
Overall, Eon was a fascinating read in the fantasy genre because the world was atypical and very well constructed. But I also thought the book was too long and the story dragged a bit too much for the complexity of the plot. Still, I enjoyed this read and recommend it for fans of fantasy looking for something a little different (a crossover of Saiunkoku Monogatari with some Mulan). And well, it does have dragons. :)
Although the beginning was a little slow and the entire plot was confusing at times, i honestly enjoyed reading this book. I'm not overly familiar with Asian culture (dragons, combat, ancestry, etc), so it was an adventure to learn! This book involves drug usage, rape, transgender characters, and I would not recommend this for any students in middle school.
I wrote a spoiler free review of Eon and the second book Eona on my blog: http://aideensbookobsession.blogspot.com/
So incredibly excited that I found this at the book swap! It sounds just like Mulan (aka; my second favorite Disney Movie) put into an epic, dragon-filled novel!
5/5stars
WOW, I've been reading some incredible books recently. This did not disappoint. This story follows someone who appears to be a 12 year old boy named Eon who is training to become a Dragoneye - a person who can harness the energy and strength of one of the twelve dragons - except for one, the Mirror Dragon, that has been lost for 500 years. But in reality, he is Eona - a 16 year old girl who, for some reason, can see all eleven of the known dragons.
(spoilers from here)
This novel was a little predictable in the very beginning with Eon making the Mirror Dragon reveal itself and pick him as the new Mirror Dragoneye. But after that initial beginning it becomes super kickass. I loved the fact that Eon(a) was crippled - it brought so much attention to the fact that even when someone has a disability, they can be strong and fight for themselves, and overcome more obstacles than anyone else. I also really liked how detailed and thoughtful Master Brannon was with creating the persona of Eon; making him a eunuch so no one would see Eon(a) undressed, and no one would question how small and shrill "he" was. Although, I did think Brannon was kinda sketchy, in the end of this novel (at least) he seemed like he truly loved Eon(a) as his own child, and really wanted her to succeed. He was a bit insane about it, with the whole disfiguring her on purpose, but other than that, he was pretty cool - I have a feeling in the next book we'll learn more about him though.
I also just love, love, LOVED the huge portrayal of different sexuality and gender identities. We have Eon(a) who is in body a female, and identifies as female, but has shoved that part of herself so far down, too protect herself, even she has trouble remembering herself as a girl and seems to go through a lot of internal struggle with the fact that she has been playing the role of a boy for so long. We also have Lady Dela, who was born a man but has the spirit of a woman. As well as Ryko, who is eunuch, but breaks most of the stereotypes about them. As well as Del and Ryko being in love. All of it was just such a great portrayal because each of these things were definitely a big attribute to the characters, but it wasn't a forced "hey look I put in a gay/trans/nonbinary character!" from the author.
The ending I felt was a tiny bit rushed, and a tiny bit confusing. The whole thing with Lord Ido suddenly becoming good was strange, as well as I got very confused with all the detailed descriptions of the paths they were walking/running down through the palace, and I got a bit turned around and was confused when they finally escaped.
I'm extremely excited for the next book to see what happens to the now-Eona, the Prince who is now the Emperor, and what is going to happen with only two Dragoneyes remaining!
5/5stars
WOW, I've been reading some incredible books recently. This did not disappoint. This story follows someone who appears to be a 12 year old boy named Eon who is training to become a Dragoneye - a person who can harness the energy and strength of one of the twelve dragons - except for one, the Mirror Dragon, that has been lost for 500 years. But in reality, he is Eona - a 16 year old girl who, for some reason, can see all eleven of the known dragons.
(spoilers from here)
This novel was a little predictable in the very beginning with Eon making the Mirror Dragon reveal itself and pick him as the new Mirror Dragoneye. But after that initial beginning it becomes super kickass. I loved the fact that Eon(a) was crippled - it brought so much attention to the fact that even when someone has a disability, they can be strong and fight for themselves, and overcome more obstacles than anyone else. I also really liked how detailed and thoughtful Master Brannon was with creating the persona of Eon; making him a eunuch so no one would see Eon(a) undressed, and no one would question how small and shrill "he" was. Although, I did think Brannon was kinda sketchy, in the end of this novel (at least) he seemed like he truly loved Eon(a) as his own child, and really wanted her to succeed. He was a bit insane about it, with the whole disfiguring her on purpose, but other than that, he was pretty cool - I have a feeling in the next book we'll learn more about him though.
I also just love, love, LOVED the huge portrayal of different sexuality and gender identities. We have Eon(a) who is in body a female, and identifies as female, but has shoved that part of herself so far down, too protect herself, even she has trouble remembering herself as a girl and seems to go through a lot of internal struggle with the fact that she has been playing the role of a boy for so long. We also have Lady Dela, who was born a man but has the spirit of a woman. As well as Ryko, who is eunuch, but breaks most of the stereotypes about them. As well as Del and Ryko being in love. All of it was just such a great portrayal because each of these things were definitely a big attribute to the characters, but it wasn't a forced "hey look I put in a gay/trans/nonbinary character!" from the author.
The ending I felt was a tiny bit rushed, and a tiny bit confusing. The whole thing with Lord Ido suddenly becoming good was strange, as well as I got very confused with all the detailed descriptions of the paths they were walking/running down through the palace, and I got a bit turned around and was confused when they finally escaped.
I'm extremely excited for the next book to see what happens to the now-Eona, the Prince who is now the Emperor, and what is going to happen with only two Dragoneyes remaining!
*4.5/5 stars*
EON is definitely one of the best dragon books I have had the fortune to read, if not even the best. I loved the world-building and the Chinese inspired culture, as well as - of course - the dragons and magic in it.
“You are wrong when you say there is no power in being a woman. When I think of my mother and the women in my tribe, and the hidden women in the harem, I know there are many types of power in this world...I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life? I don't think I could do it.” -Lady Dela
Eon(a) was really interesting character. One second I loved her and the next I wanted to shake with her. She is definitely not an easy character to love and that's what I admire about her. She struggled. She feared. She wasn't always likeable. She fought. And she was so real.
Lady Dela was amazing and very complex character as well.
“'You have the courage of a warrior.'
I watched him turn away and gather the clothes from the ground. He thought me courageous? But I was terrified - always terrified.
'No,' I said flatly. 'I don't."
He paused from stuffing the invaluable robe between two bales. 'Are you frightened now?'
I nodded, shame flushing my skin.
'Is it going to stop you?'
'No.'
'That is the courage of a warrior.”
It was also amazing, that romance wasn't (finally) the main focus of this book. If there even was any. Maybe just a hints which will be explored further in Goodman's sequel, EONA, but I don't mind little less romance at all. There were much more important things going on. I don't even know what else to say about this masterpiece, it was nearly perfection.
I highly recommend EON to every High Fantasy admirer who loves extensive, descriptive world building with perfectly done mythological aspect, colorful magic and complex Asian inspired culture with Chinese dragons.
“Even a cornered rabbit will fight with teeth and claws.”
EON is definitely one of the best dragon books I have had the fortune to read, if not even the best. I loved the world-building and the Chinese inspired culture, as well as - of course - the dragons and magic in it.
“You are wrong when you say there is no power in being a woman. When I think of my mother and the women in my tribe, and the hidden women in the harem, I know there are many types of power in this world...I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life? I don't think I could do it.” -Lady Dela
Eon(a) was really interesting character. One second I loved her and the next I wanted to shake with her. She is definitely not an easy character to love and that's what I admire about her. She struggled. She feared. She wasn't always likeable. She fought. And she was so real.
Lady Dela was amazing and very complex character as well.
“'You have the courage of a warrior.'
I watched him turn away and gather the clothes from the ground. He thought me courageous? But I was terrified - always terrified.
'No,' I said flatly. 'I don't."
He paused from stuffing the invaluable robe between two bales. 'Are you frightened now?'
I nodded, shame flushing my skin.
'Is it going to stop you?'
'No.'
'That is the courage of a warrior.”
It was also amazing, that romance wasn't (finally) the main focus of this book. If there even was any. Maybe just a hints which will be explored further in Goodman's sequel, EONA, but I don't mind little less romance at all. There were much more important things going on. I don't even know what else to say about this masterpiece, it was nearly perfection.
I highly recommend EON to every High Fantasy admirer who loves extensive, descriptive world building with perfectly done mythological aspect, colorful magic and complex Asian inspired culture with Chinese dragons.
“Even a cornered rabbit will fight with teeth and claws.”
I don't usually read fantasy novels, but I loved this YA girl power story and the Asian themed world the author created.
I'm split on my rating. Three stars because of the length, which felt unnecessarily long, and an indecisive, spineless protagonist. Four stars for an intricate and complex plot and tense, action packed sequences when they did happen. The action packed ending helped but there was so much that lead up to that point, so many moments where you wonder, 'is this freaking, dumb ass kid ever gonna catch on? Get with the program, little Mr./Ms. Whiner.' I'll read the second book. I just hope it's a bit more even with an Eona that is less whiny and conflicted than her Eon counterpart.
⭐3.5
“I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life.”
This story follows a young boy named Eon. A young student in hopes of trying to be picked by one of the 12 dragons to become an apprentice of their power. To gain money for his master and freedom from the servitude that has entrapped them their whole life. The odds are not always in their favor, however. They were dealt the short end of the stick for being disabled with a limp leg. As well as hiding who they truly are... A girl disguising herself as a man for a chance in their world.
There was plenty of things I liked about this story and plenty of things that I hated.
I will start with the things I liked.
First off, I first read this many years ago and knew the general plot but there was plenty of things that I have forgotten. I will say, I still felt that rush of emotions in certain scenes. Intrigue, Disgust, empathy, anger... It goes on.
The world and it's politics hooked me in right away. At first, I was rather confused how everything worked and many times asked myself, "That seems silly, does it really work that way?". It was mostly me misunderstanding exactly how everything worked and found myself having a lot of "OH" moments when I finally got it. I honestly wished it wasn't as heavily character-focused, for once in my life, and wished we could see more of it outside of just Eon's perspective of things. I just wanted to consume all the story building about the world and what made everything tick around it.
My favorite trope in the world is "Dressing as the other gender to hide your true identity". And this story had that!
You see our main character, Eon, really struggle with their gender throughout this book of trying to figure out who they really are and having plenty of mixed emotions. Very relatable. Doesn't help that the world they live in is very sexist and they could very well get killed. Another cherry on top of trying to figure out who you truly are. I think overall, they handled this very well! I am not someone to tell Eon who they truly be. I think the answer they found for themselves is very acceptable and I am proud that they took that big, scary jump.
There is a trans character in this book as well. Overall I think it was handled well! I loved them a lot and they were open about being trans, speaking about their past and how they knew. There was some writing (outside of them talking for themselves) where they were described in... Not the best way. Not insulting but just bad word choice for them. They are still my favorite character throughout this whole book and I want nothing more to have more scenes with them since they shine constantly whenever they are there.
I really liked the character relationships between everyone with Eon. All very different. Some where I couldn't help my joyful grin and others where I held my breath, scared to what will come as I flipped the page. Wonderful development throughout the whole story.
Onto the things I did not like...
For one, there is assault in this book. When I looked up warnings, it never mentioned that and it's kind of a big part. So when going into this, please be mindful that is also in here and... It's really not easy to read.
This takes place more in the past where women do not have as many rights as men and seen as lesser. A lot of sexism, ableism, and some transphobia as well. Makes sense in the setting and characters do go against these notions. However, there is a lot and sometimes hard to get through when reading because it keeps hitting you in the face. Eon shares a lot of these sexist thoughts throughout the book, so be warned.
Lastly, what happens at the end... The thing that pissed me off the most: ||SPOILERS for Mobile users||
I really enjoyed the story but it isn't without it's flaws. Sadly it's flaws really stick out at times and leave a sour taste in my mouth. I have a fond attachment to this story for being the first story I have read that really focuses on gender when I was in the time in my life where I was trying to figure out my own gender. It is very supportive of that nature and made me teary eyed at times since it felt like the characters were talking directly to me. I will treasure the words I read in this and probably will come back again to read them when I need to.
“I found power in accepting the truth of who I am. It may not be a truth that others can accept, but I cannot live any other way. How would it be to live a lie every minute of your life.”
This story follows a young boy named Eon. A young student in hopes of trying to be picked by one of the 12 dragons to become an apprentice of their power. To gain money for his master and freedom from the servitude that has entrapped them their whole life. The odds are not always in their favor, however. They were dealt the short end of the stick for being disabled with a limp leg. As well as hiding who they truly are... A girl disguising herself as a man for a chance in their world.
There was plenty of things I liked about this story and plenty of things that I hated.
I will start with the things I liked.
First off, I first read this many years ago and knew the general plot but there was plenty of things that I have forgotten. I will say, I still felt that rush of emotions in certain scenes. Intrigue, Disgust, empathy, anger... It goes on.
The world and it's politics hooked me in right away. At first, I was rather confused how everything worked and many times asked myself, "That seems silly, does it really work that way?". It was mostly me misunderstanding exactly how everything worked and found myself having a lot of "OH" moments when I finally got it. I honestly wished it wasn't as heavily character-focused, for once in my life, and wished we could see more of it outside of just Eon's perspective of things. I just wanted to consume all the story building about the world and what made everything tick around it.
My favorite trope in the world is "Dressing as the other gender to hide your true identity". And this story had that!
You see our main character, Eon, really struggle with their gender throughout this book of trying to figure out who they really are and having plenty of mixed emotions. Very relatable. Doesn't help that the world they live in is very sexist and they could very well get killed. Another cherry on top of trying to figure out who you truly are. I think overall, they handled this very well! I am not someone to tell Eon who they truly be. I think the answer they found for themselves is very acceptable and I am proud that they took that big, scary jump.
There is a trans character in this book as well. Overall I think it was handled well! I loved them a lot and they were open about being trans, speaking about their past and how they knew. There was some writing (outside of them talking for themselves) where they were described in... Not the best way. Not insulting but just bad word choice for them. They are still my favorite character throughout this whole book and I want nothing more to have more scenes with them since they shine constantly whenever they are there.
I really liked the character relationships between everyone with Eon. All very different. Some where I couldn't help my joyful grin and others where I held my breath, scared to what will come as I flipped the page. Wonderful development throughout the whole story.
Onto the things I did not like...
For one, there is assault in this book. When I looked up warnings, it never mentioned that and it's kind of a big part. So when going into this, please be mindful that is also in here and... It's really not easy to read.
This takes place more in the past where women do not have as many rights as men and seen as lesser. A lot of sexism, ableism, and some transphobia as well. Makes sense in the setting and characters do go against these notions. However, there is a lot and sometimes hard to get through when reading because it keeps hitting you in the face. Eon shares a lot of these sexist thoughts throughout the book, so be warned.
Lastly, what happens at the end... The thing that pissed me off the most: ||SPOILERS for Mobile users||
Spoiler
Throughout the book we see Eon constantly be looked down upon since they are disabled and never thought they could be anything because of their disability. Even so, they supported other people who are disabled and even gave them power so others no longer could look down upon them. I was hoping for a story about empowerment. A story that Eon could do all these things regardless of what people thought of them. She was a disabled girl but she is just as cunning and powerful as everyone around her. Maybe even more so! But no. Instead, when she got her true power, they took away her disability and decided NOW that she was powerful and worthy of being loved. No. She was worthy of being loved and powerful before. You didn't need to take away her disability to do that. She was capable in her own way. So what if she couldn't do things the exact same way as others, she could find her own way and show she is able. Also them making Ido seem like a good guy right after he assaulted her. No cool. He can have character development but that doesn't take away what he did and he shouldn't suddenly be seen as a hero for that. But that is more a me thing. It was too quick of a change for characters, especially Eona, to trust him. Even if she doesn't trust him totally, it was more trust than feels realistic for what just happened to her.I really enjoyed the story but it isn't without it's flaws. Sadly it's flaws really stick out at times and leave a sour taste in my mouth. I have a fond attachment to this story for being the first story I have read that really focuses on gender when I was in the time in my life where I was trying to figure out my own gender. It is very supportive of that nature and made me teary eyed at times since it felt like the characters were talking directly to me. I will treasure the words I read in this and probably will come back again to read them when I need to.