Author Description

Review"Containing all the requisite literary ingredients of high fantasy, but lacking its usual protracted length, DRAGONFIRE would serve as an excellent introduction to the genre...High fantasy demands that the hero confront evil in a climactic, winner-take-all battle, and Bradford provides the necessary conflict, but with a surprise twist which will leave readers eager to discuss the book's theme. Though the various plot threads are tied up at DRAGONFIRE's conclusion, the uncertain futures of the central characters hint at a possible sequel." Recommended. -- Reviewed by Dave Jenkinson, Children's and Young Adult Literature Professor, University of Manitoba, Canadian Book Review Annual, 1998."Karleen Bradford's latest novel draws upon medieval cosmology, Jungian psychology, and classic adventure-suspense to produce an intelligent and entertaining fantasy for young readers." -- Reviewed by Bridget Donald, Quill & Quire, December 1997. Starred Review"The sword fights and encounters with dragons that mark Dahl's struggle towards reclaiming his throne are only part of this story. At a deeper level, Dragonfire is powered by Dahl's relationship with what Carl Jung called the shadow: that darker, unknown side of oneself that must be met and embraced if true growth is to occur. Dahl's final battle with The Usurper is one of the most thrilling encounters with the shadow in children's literature." -- Reviewed by John Bemrose, Maclean's Magazine, November 1997."With DRAGONFIRE, (Bradford) shows that she can craft fantasy with...a deft sense for the telling detail...it's more than difficult to put the book down." -- The Edmonton JournalKarleen Bradford, author of 14 YA novels, many of them historical fiction, moves confidently into high fantasy with DRAGONFIRE...Bradford uses the conventions of high fantasy well to create a fast-paced, intriguing adventure. But, like all good fantasies, this story is also an allegory for the human condition; even as Dahl grows more confident of his powers, he meets the dark side of his own personality and comes to realize that the dragon inside is more dangerous than the ones he can see. -- Reviewed by Barbara Greenwood, City Parent, April 1998Product DescriptionA nameless stable boy is actually Dahl, King of Taun, whose throne was usurped, but when the day comes to rescue his homeland, Dahl has doubts about his courage and abilityFrom the Author"How many more books are you going to write before you die?" I was asked a couple of years ago by a nine year old boy at a school where I was doing a reading. I had to admit that I didn't really know. But I did know that one of them was going to be a fantasy. J.R.R. Tolkien stated that he "desired dragons with a profound desire" in his Andrew Lang essay on fairy tales, and I have always had the same obsession. DRAGONFIRE was an adventure and an exploration for me and I loved writing it. I have often had trouble keeping my female secondary characters down and Catryn, in this book, was no exception. There will be, therefore, a sequel to DRAGONFIRE, called WHISPERINGS OF MAGIC, which will be her own book. And then...? SHADOW OF EVIL lurks in my mind. Catryn and Dahl's twin sons...? ENDFrom the Back CoverKnown and admired for her gripping, action-packed adventure stories filled with exciting historical figures, Karleen Bradford is the award-winning author of 14 books for children, including her two acclaimed historical novels of the Crusades, THERE WILL BE WOLVES and SHADOWS ON A SWORD. AUTHORBIO: Karleen Bradford is one of Canada's most respect young adult authors. She is the author of several historical and contemporary stories, including WINDWARD ISLAND, which won the 1990 Max and Greta Ebel Award, and her acclaimed two books of the Crusades, THERE WILL BE WOLVES and SHADOWS ON A SWORD. THERE WILL BE WOLVES won the 1993 Canadian Library Association Young Adult Award and was chosen by the American Library Association as one of the Best Books o