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A review by bookishblond
Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Velde
5.0
I love this book. First read at about age 11 or so, in the early 2000s, checked out from my grandparents' library, which had an exciting, diverse selection, completely different from the books available at my own home library!
The book opens with fifteen-year-old Alys accused of being a witch. She's not, of course, and we quickly learn that her devious neighbor hatched a plan to get rid of Alys and acquire her ailing father's land. Despite a few kindly villagers' attempts to save her, Alys is sentenced to death by dragon and tied to a stake outside the village: dragon's bait. When the dragon finally arrives, he's not at all what Alys expected. He can shape-shift into a handsome youth. With no where else to go, Alys decides to stay with the dragon for now, and accept his offer to help her with revenge.
This story, and this world, is pure magic. It was such a delight to read again as an adult. Dragon's Bait is a perfect fantasy book for me in so many ways, and I have been searching for similar books for years. I don't believe I have read much else by Vivian Vande Velde, but that will change very soon!
The book opens with fifteen-year-old Alys accused of being a witch. She's not, of course, and we quickly learn that her devious neighbor hatched a plan to get rid of Alys and acquire her ailing father's land. Despite a few kindly villagers' attempts to save her, Alys is sentenced to death by dragon and tied to a stake outside the village: dragon's bait. When the dragon finally arrives, he's not at all what Alys expected. He can shape-shift into a handsome youth. With no where else to go, Alys decides to stay with the dragon for now, and accept his offer to help her with revenge.
This story, and this world, is pure magic. It was such a delight to read again as an adult. Dragon's Bait is a perfect fantasy book for me in so many ways, and I have been searching for similar books for years. I don't believe I have read much else by Vivian Vande Velde, but that will change very soon!