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A review by ozshark
Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
10 pages in and I knew I was going to love this one. The gorgeous descriptions of the landscape, the use of metaphor and the building sense of both wonder and foreboding. This is a beautiful novel.
The story revolves around Pip, a 10 yo girl living in outback Queensland. Home life is difficult and she finds friendships hard too, particularly now her best friend Mika is no longer around. Suddenly, amidst these ordinary problems, something other-worldly occurs. Pip find a helpless baby dragon.
He needs almost constant care, so Pip begins to nurse him back to health, all the while trying to keep him secret from her family and the other kids at school. She wishes she could help her Mum with the problems at home too, but feels powerless and so just watches on in hope that things will change.
I loved this story. It was really easy to identify with Pip and all that she is feeling. The bond between her and her dragon is intense, and like Pip herself, we aren't sure what it will mean - even after finishing the book I'm not sure I understand :). Whether deliberate or not, Karen Foxlee brought to my mind the Pern series, as music and song is a special part of the connection with the dragon.
I think some readers in particular will fall in love with this story. I hope it gets read very widely.
The story revolves around Pip, a 10 yo girl living in outback Queensland. Home life is difficult and she finds friendships hard too, particularly now her best friend Mika is no longer around. Suddenly, amidst these ordinary problems, something other-worldly occurs. Pip find a helpless baby dragon.
He needs almost constant care, so Pip begins to nurse him back to health, all the while trying to keep him secret from her family and the other kids at school. She wishes she could help her Mum with the problems at home too, but feels powerless and so just watches on in hope that things will change.
I loved this story. It was really easy to identify with Pip and all that she is feeling. The bond between her and her dragon is intense, and like Pip herself, we aren't sure what it will mean - even after finishing the book I'm not sure I understand :). Whether deliberate or not, Karen Foxlee brought to my mind the Pern series, as music and song is a special part of the connection with the dragon.
I think some readers in particular will fall in love with this story. I hope it gets read very widely.