Legend of the Dragon Slayer: The Origin Story of Dragonwatch (Dragonwatch) by Brandon Mull, Brandon Dorman (Illustrations)

 

In ancient times, dragons posed the ultimate threat to the rest of the magical world. During the Dragon War, a group of specially trained Dragon Slayers banded together to stand against the onslaught. They called themselves Dragonwatch, and they succeeded in confining the majority of dragons to sanctuaries. Legend of the Dragon Slayer is the illustrated story of the very first Dragon Slayer who took to battle.

As the legend tells it, powerful monsters terrorized the kingdom of Selona on all sides. An unlikely hero named Konrad, the cobbler's son, accepts the king's challenge to defeat the monsters: fierce yeti, a merciless vampire, a dangerous gorgon, and a deadly phoenix. But Selona's biggest threat will come from the Dragon, and it will take every ounce of wit and experience that Konrad has acquired to stand a chance against such a formidable foe.

Legend of the Dragon Slayer features a never-before-published catalog of Dragon Slayers, a detailed map of the kingdom of Selona, and lavish full-color illustrations. Fantasy fans will love this stand-alone tale of valor, destiny, and magic.

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What a fun book!  This is a collection of stories all about Konrad and how he grew into a dragon slayer in the kingdom of Selona.  His adventures helped the kingdom expand by defeating the monsters that surrounded it.  

Konrad really stepped up to the plate when nobody else would.  He was a good defender (an even better storyteller) and a great hero to root for.  His legacy established the Fair Folk of Fablehaven and that's how it all ties together.  If you haven't read the Fablehaven/Dragonwatch series, you really should.  It is fantasy at it's best and suitable for all ages and the perfect series to read aloud to younger children.  This book has such beautiful illustrations!  It is fun to see the story spring to life through the vibrant pictures.  I wish I could show you the pictures!

I first obtained this book as an ebook for review and it was okay but I was so excited when I was offered a physical book for review as well.  The book is beautiful from front to back cover and I loved being able to hold it in my hands.  It's one of those kind of books and definitely one you want to add to your collection- especially if you own this series!

Content:  mild peril

About the author/illustrator:

 

Brandon Mull has worked as a comedian, a filing clerk, a patio installer, a movie promoter, a copywriter, and briefly as a chicken stacker. For a couple of years, he lived in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile, where he learned Spanish and juggling. He and his wife Erlyn and their large family and a dog named Buffy the Vampire Slayer live in a Fablehaven-style house with an attic filled with peculiar artifacts. Brandon is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Dragonwatch, Fablehaven, Beyonders, and Five Kingdoms series.

Brandon Dorman grew up near Tacoma, WA and is the dad of three boys and one girl. He is best known for his book cover art on popular series like Fablehaven, Goosebumps, and The Land of Stories. He is an accomplished visual storyteller who has illustrated 21 picture books.

The Caretaker's Guide to Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, Illustrated by Brandon Dorman

This guidebook to the Fablehaven magical preserve is filled with everything a new Caretaker might need to know in order to survive. There are entries detailing important information about artifacts large and small, a complete bestiary of creatures (from fairies to trolls to satyrs), a guide to identifying demons, dragons, and wizards as well as valuable insights into the other magical preserves.

Immerse yourself into the secret knowledge that has been handed down through the generations by reading the updates and notes written in the margins by the former Caretakers of Fablehaven, including Grandpa Sorenson, Kendra, and Seth. Fully-illustrated, this unique encyclopedia has gathered the world of Fablehaven into one volume.

Scattered throughout the book are colorful fairies that also mark some of the characters, artifacts, and creatures that will be featured in the upcoming sequel series, Dragonwatch.

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If you are a Fablehaven fan, this book is a must for your collection.  This book is filled with illustrations and explanations about all things Fablehaven.  From spells, potions, artifacts, and tools to fairies, giants, imps, griffins, dragons, wizards and demons.  Some illustrations are done in black and white, and some are in full color.  Every page is a fun new discovery of creatures, places and things.

Not only did I love the illustrations and explanations, but I loved the extra bits written in along the way.  You get little notes from the characters and words of wisdom as well.  There is humor sprinkled in which is always a plus in my opinion.

The pictures really help bring the book to life.  My kids wish they had this book while reading the Fablehaven series but maybe this is a good time to go back and re-read while finding the pictures in this book!  

If you haven't read Fablehaven, you should.  It's a fantastic series to read aloud to younger children and is fit for any age of readers.  My husband finished this series not too long ago and enjoyed it as well.  Everyone loved this Caretaker's Guide.  It is a wonderful addition to this series.