Title: The Dragon Queen
Author: Alice Borchardt
First published October 30, 2001
480 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345443991 (ISBN10: 0345443993)
Rating: 3.83
Overview
In an enchanting retelling of the Arthurian legend, Alice Borchardt introduces us to a fierce and magical Guinevere, who is more than just a queen. The Dragon Queen is the first book in a trilogy that takes us on a thrilling journey through Camelot.
Guinevere, daughter of a powerful pagan queen, is a threat to her people and a tool for the sorcerer Merlin. Fleeing from him, she grows up in hiding, under the protection of a shapeshifting man-wolf and an ornery Druid.
But even in her remote sanctuary, she is not safe from Merlin’s grasp. He knows her destiny, and he will stop at nothing to prevent it.
Guinevere, however, possesses a dazzling power of her own, which she calls upon as she travels through different worlds and times. She must prove herself worthy of being Arthur’s Queen and face Merlin’s wrath without him.
The Dragon Queen is a tale of adventure, romance, and courage that will leave you captivated.
About the Author
Alice O’Brien was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on 6 October 1939. She grew up with four sisters, including Katherine “Kay” Allen and Howard O’Brien, and moved to Richardson, Texas as a teenager.
Alice pursued a career in nursing, and eventually settled in Houston where she met and married Clifford Borchardt. She worked as a licensed vocational nurse for 30 years, but unfortunately faced staff reductions at the hospital where she was employed.
Fortunately, Alice’s sister, the famous writer Anne Rice, provided her with encouragement and helped her find an agent. Anne even wrote introductions for several of Alice’s books.
Alice wrote a total of seven books during her writing career. She passed away on 24 July 2007 in Houston, Texas.
Editoral Review
Alice Borchardt’s The Dragon Queen is a historical fantasy novel published on October 30, 2001. Borchardt is known for her historical fiction and fantasy writings, which include The Silver Wolf and Night of the Wolf.
The Dragon Queen is a fascinating tale set in the fifth century, which explores the themes of power, love, and magic. The story takes place in a vividly described world of medieval Europe, where dragons and magic exist alongside Christianity.
The plot revolves around the main character, Merian, the Dragon Queen, who is fighting to protect her kingdom, Gevaudan. Merian is a powerful sorceress with the gift of prophecy, and she must use her magical abilities to defeat her enemies, both human and dragon.
She is aided in her quest by her lover, Gerin, a skilled warrior, and her brother, Armon, a priest who has lost his faith.
The Dragon Queen is a beautifully crafted novel that transports the reader to a world of magic and enchantment. Borchardt’s writing is lyrical and evocative, and she paints a vivid picture of medieval Europe.
The characters are well-developed and complex, and the conflicts they face are realistic and compelling. The themes of power, love, and magic are explored with depth and nuance, and the novel has a strong feminist undertone.
One of the strengths of the book is the character development. Merian is a powerful and complex protagonist who defies the gender norms of her time.
She is a strong and independent woman who fights for her kingdom and her people, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Gerin and Armon are also well-drawn characters, with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
The pacing of the novel is another strength. Borchardt keeps the reader engaged from start to finish, with a well-structured plot that is full of twists and turns.
The use of magic and dragons adds an element of excitement and adventure to the story, and the historical setting provides a rich backdrop for the action.
One weakness of the book is the occasional overuse of exposition. Borchardt sometimes relies too heavily on telling rather than showing, which can slow the pace of the story.
Additionally, some readers may find the use of magic and dragons to be too fantastical for their taste.
Overall, The Dragon Queen is an excellent novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and fantasy. Borchardt’s writing is superb, and she has created a rich and engaging world that will captivate readers.
The book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys strong female protagonists and epic battles between good and evil.
I would give The Dragon Queen a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The book is well-written, with engaging characters and a compelling plot.
The use of magic and dragons adds an element of excitement, and the historical setting provides a rich backdrop for the story. However, the occasional overuse of exposition and the fantastical elements may not appeal to all readers.
Overall, I highly recommend The Dragon Queen to anyone who loves a good epic fantasy novel.
