[A] story of gifts discovered in struggle and friendship forged in adversity. . . Colfer draws out details of kingdom-building in lyrical language while interweaving his characters’ relatable idiosyncrasies, motives, and griefs. Lynch’s sandy orange and misty blue hued watercolor illustrations, replete with detailed dragon profiles and majestic wolfhounds, seamlessly frame the story. . . An elegant and inspired fairy tale that feels both familiar and freshly penned.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A fabulous fairy tale with a standout style that feels pleasingly traditional and yet terrifically fresh, and the well-drawn characters often subvert classic genre expectations. The elegant text is sonorous and suspenseful, always with the feeling of a twinkle in its eye, and every page is splendidly illustrated. . . A wonderfully classic fairy tale that still surprises and delights.
—Booklist (starred review)
Colfer takes familiar fairytale themes (family, bravery, questing) and twists them ever so slightly to produce an enchanting and uncommon fantasy about found family and power from unexpected places. Lynch’s pencil drawings are digitally colored in muted tones and delicately lined, graceful and elegant like the work of contemporary Chris Riddell. Three Tasks for a Dragon shows quests (and heroes) need not be about physical strength; great heroes can be calm, resourceful, and kind.
—Shelf Awareness (starred review)
A quest that suggests certain death unfolds quite differently in this reason-centered fantasy novella by previous collaborators Colfer and Lynch. . . . Colfer combines thrilling moments and hints of romance, while Lynch provides misty fantasy landscapes and portraits of the story’s heroes and villains in expressive art.
—Publishers Weekly
Vibrant, glowing artwork is a highlight, with spot drawings throughout and intricate linework that invites the reader to pause and explore the details of each scene. The trim page count and stunning illustrations make this an appealing offer to reluctant readers, while fantasy and fairy tale buffs will gravitate to this book on their own, based on little more than the promising title that hints at (and ably delivers) a memorable quest.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A lavishly illustrated epic journey, ‘Three Tasks for a Dragon’ is bound to leave readers and listeners breathless, start to finish.
—The Reading Eagle
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