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A review by easolinas
The Dragon's Tooth by N.D. Wilson
5.0
Stories about secret organizations and academies are not particularly unusual now, especially in the wake of Harry Potter.
But I have to admit, N.D. Wilson has pulled something unusual out of his hat in "The Dragon's Tooth," the first book of the Ashtown Burials series. It's a gritty, darker kind of story, enmeshing two kids in a new world through fire, blood, deadly spiders and the threat of losing what remains of their family.
For two years, Cyrus Smith has run a decaying motel with his older brother Dan and sister Antigone. Their father is dead, and their mother lies in a coma. Then one day a strange man named Skelton comes to their motel and gives him a set of strange keys and a strange tooth -- just hours before Dan vanishes, Skelton dies and their motel is burned down.
Cyrus and Antigone learn that Skelton was a member of an ancient, secret order known as the Order of Brendan, and that he chose them as his heirs. But except for a few friendly people, most of the Order hates them.
Cyrus soon begins to explore Ashtown, with its tunnels, hidden Buried chambers and terrifying history. But the biggest discovery is Dr. Phoenix, a monstrous man who is determined to gain the Dragon's Tooth for his own -- and he will destroy anyone he comes across to get it. And the Order might not stop him.
"The Dragon's Tooth: Ashtown Burials #1" is a very different book from your average kids-get-involved-with-secret-magical-organizations story. It's much darker and grittier -- N.D. Wilson ruthlessly dives into the bleaker side of magic, with cursed immortals and dollops of moral greyness.
And Wilson has a rare gift for writing. His is the kind of writing that invades the senses -- you can feel the heat of a blazing inferno, hear the skittering of Whip Spiders, and smell the filth, mold and stale air of the motel and Polygon. His writing is vivid, sharp-edged; he fills it with clever phrases that speak more clearly than literal speech ever could ("her face had been as pale and peaceful as moonlight").
He's no less adept with the characters. Cyrus and Antigone are plausible siblings who bicker, disagree but have a strong bond that sustains them all the time (such as Cyrus beating down a monk who attacks Antigone). And there's a bunch of colorful, well-rounded characters -- the tortured immortal thief Nolan, the spunky adventure-girl Diana, and the darkly intense Avengel.
"The Dragon's Tooth" is a brilliant beginning to a very underrated series, and it leaves me slavering to find out what happen in the second book. A deliciously dark, complex fantasy.
But I have to admit, N.D. Wilson has pulled something unusual out of his hat in "The Dragon's Tooth," the first book of the Ashtown Burials series. It's a gritty, darker kind of story, enmeshing two kids in a new world through fire, blood, deadly spiders and the threat of losing what remains of their family.
For two years, Cyrus Smith has run a decaying motel with his older brother Dan and sister Antigone. Their father is dead, and their mother lies in a coma. Then one day a strange man named Skelton comes to their motel and gives him a set of strange keys and a strange tooth -- just hours before Dan vanishes, Skelton dies and their motel is burned down.
Cyrus and Antigone learn that Skelton was a member of an ancient, secret order known as the Order of Brendan, and that he chose them as his heirs. But except for a few friendly people, most of the Order hates them.
Cyrus soon begins to explore Ashtown, with its tunnels, hidden Buried chambers and terrifying history. But the biggest discovery is Dr. Phoenix, a monstrous man who is determined to gain the Dragon's Tooth for his own -- and he will destroy anyone he comes across to get it. And the Order might not stop him.
"The Dragon's Tooth: Ashtown Burials #1" is a very different book from your average kids-get-involved-with-secret-magical-organizations story. It's much darker and grittier -- N.D. Wilson ruthlessly dives into the bleaker side of magic, with cursed immortals and dollops of moral greyness.
And Wilson has a rare gift for writing. His is the kind of writing that invades the senses -- you can feel the heat of a blazing inferno, hear the skittering of Whip Spiders, and smell the filth, mold and stale air of the motel and Polygon. His writing is vivid, sharp-edged; he fills it with clever phrases that speak more clearly than literal speech ever could ("her face had been as pale and peaceful as moonlight").
He's no less adept with the characters. Cyrus and Antigone are plausible siblings who bicker, disagree but have a strong bond that sustains them all the time (such as Cyrus beating down a monk who attacks Antigone). And there's a bunch of colorful, well-rounded characters -- the tortured immortal thief Nolan, the spunky adventure-girl Diana, and the darkly intense Avengel.
"The Dragon's Tooth" is a brilliant beginning to a very underrated series, and it leaves me slavering to find out what happen in the second book. A deliciously dark, complex fantasy.