Dragon Horse by Peter Ward
Rate and review Dragon Horse! | What does everyone else think?
‘The sleeping dragon awakes!’
Aeons ago, winged dragons spread terror across the Chinese empire.
Their descendants, magnificent horses bred and ridden by the Wild Horsemen, are known as dragon horses.
But now an ancient evil is stirring – and two brothers, Rokshan and An Lushan, are about to be drawn into battle. One must travel to the Valleys of the Horsemen – and on to the Plain of the Dead where the great stallion Stargazer, lord of the horses, is waiting for him.
While the other chooses a different path entirely…
Fantasy Book Review interviewed Peter Ward in April 2009.
Set in China during the 9th century, Dragon Horse is an epic fantasy that marks an impressive debut novel for British author Peter Ward. It is an atmospheric, well researched and involving tale of two brothers, Rokshan and An Lushan, with two very different destinies.
The author’s passion for China and Chinese mythology shines through strongly and the admirable attention to detail make this refreshing take on a fantasy theme highly readable and unquestionably enjoyable. A book for both children and adults, it is full of memorable characters and locations with the titular dragon horses being a brilliant invention. The passage below, taken from the book, describes Rokshan’s first meeting with these wonderful creatures.
“Rokshan bent closer and gazed into the dragon horse’s eyes, and for a moment he felt as if he was drowning in the depths of green oceans. He grabbed instinctively for something to hold onto as he was swept into a whirlpool of colours that pummelled and tugged at him, pulling him this way and that. Strangely, he felt himself relaxing, and the more he let go, the more easily he seemed to float along with the pulsing colours that streamed about him… He felt himself laughing with joy at a sensation that was unlike anything he’d ever felt before-“
Dragon Horse: Chapter 5 – Shou Lao’s Message and the Imperial Messengers
On the slightly negative side, there were occasions when the narrative did not seem to know if it was aimed at children or adults. This sometimes led to confusion when complex and adult-themed passages were joined together by passages that felt rather too simplistic and manufactured. There was also a feeling that the author, by staying very true to the original legends, found difficulty in creating a clear and concise story using the complex source material. These are, it should be pointed out, minor quibbles that meant that Dragon Horse was a very good book rather than an excellent one.
At the back of the book there is an author’s historical note on The Silk Road. This is absolutely fascinating and left me wondering why all this information was not part and parcel of the story itself. Below is an excerpt from this note.
“The many different trading routes together made up the greatest road of the ancient world, which linked the Mediterranean to Central Asia, travelled by Alexander the Great, Darius (the ‘King of Kings’) of Persia, Genghis Khan and Marco Polo. The Silk Road linked the Eastern Roman Empire in the west to China, at the height of its power and cultural glory during the T’ang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Travellers, merchants and adventurers from the west came in search of silk, which was valued as highly as gold.”
Author’s Historical Note: The Silk Road
Dragon Horse is a book that deserves to be read, it is educational, entertaining and will leave the reader wanting to know more about ancient China and the wonder that was The Silk Road. The jacket illustration is beautiful and will sell many copies all by itself.
With his father in military service, Peter Ward grew up in different places throughout England, Germany and the Far East. He was educated at Ampleforth College before graduating in English and Religious Studies from Leeds University, marking the start of a lifelong interest in Eastern mythology and religions.
His fascination with the culture and mythology of the East, especially China and tales set around the ancient Silk Road, inspired him to want to write his own stories. Dragon Horse is his first novel.
“Strides the length of the Silk Road. Ahead… lie dangerous journeys and desperate battles, treacherous enemies and loyal friends’ Books for Keeps
“If you only read one book this year make it this one! Gripping and absorbing!’ DMAG
‘Pacy, rich and satisfying’ writeaway.org.uk
Dragon Horse (Amazon.co.uk)
Author: Peter Ward
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 480
Publication date: 2009-03-05
Publisher: Corgi Childrens
RRP: £6.99
Lowest new price: £0.90
Lowest used price: £0.15
Dragon Horse (Amazon.com)
Author: Peter Ward
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 480
Publication date: 2009-09-14
Publisher: Corgi
RRP:
Lowest new price: $4.99
Lowest used price: $4.99
Set in ancient China, two brothers fight the classic battle between good and evil as the Shadow-without-name attempts to break free from eternal imprisonment by utilizing the strength and power of the famed dragon horses. Rokshan and An-Lushan are drawn into this centuries-old struggle, along with a young girl destined to become the Spellweaver of her nomadic tribe.
As An-Lushan is pulled towards the dark, Rokshan must embark upon a dangerous journey and learn the innermost secrets of the dragons.
Product Description
Fred from Glasgow
"An awesome book, any fantasy lovers' dream - full of weird and wonderful, highly descriptive mythical beings. Can't wait for the sequel."
Submit your own mini-review
Let people know what you think about Dragon Horse. You can write your own mini-review and give the book the rating that you think it deserves. Your reviews will go towards giving Dragon Horse its overall rating that will decide where Dragon Horse finishes in the top 100 fantasy books of all time.
Books you may also enjoy...
The Spook’s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and has been apprenticed to the local Spook. The job is hard, the spook is distant and many apprentices have failed before him. Somehow Thomas must learn how to exorcise ghosts, contain witches and bind boggarts. But when he is tricked into freeing Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the Country, the horror begins… ... read the full review
Summary: Chilling, memorable and full of wonderful characters.
The Death Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean
When Pepper Roux was born his aunt foretold that he would not live past 14 years of age. Throughout his childhood his parents haven't bothered with him much, knowing that his life would be short-lived. So when Pepper wakes up on his 14th birthday he knows this will be the day that he'll die. But as the day wears on, and Pepper finds himself still alive, he decides to set off to sea in an attempt to try and avoid death for as long as possible. As time goes on Pepper steps into many roles and personas and has numerous outrageous adventures. But can he stay one step ahead of death? Or will fate catch up with him? And, if he does live, which of his many lives will he choose to adopt? This riot of a story is a wonderful adventure, and Pepper is an unforgettable character who stays with you long after his story has been told. ... read the full review
Summary: A delightful and whimsical book that highlights the power and wonder of imagination.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ella is given a blessing at birth by a very stupid fairy: She gets the gift of obedience! but the blessing turns into a horror for Ella who literally has to do what anyone and everyone tells her, from sweeping the floor to giving up a precious necklace! She has to battle with ogres and wicked stepsisters, make friends and loose them, and even deny she loves her Prince Char to save his life and his kingdom. The story overthrows the stereotypes of the original Cinderella when Ella breaks the curse -- not the prince -- saving not only herself, but Prince Char as well. And Ella rejects his proposal of marriage, at least until she decides herself to propose to him! And the curse is only broken because she's said 'No!' rather than 'Yes!'. ... read the full review
Summary: Ella Enchanted is an enchanting re-telling of the Cinderella fairy tale.
Also in this sub-genre...
- The Spook’s Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
- The Death Defying Pepper Roux by Geraldine McCaughrean
- Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
- Who is Charlie Keeper? by Marcus Alexander
- The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
- Abhorsen by Garth Nix
- The Spook’s Mistake by Joseph Delaney
- Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
- The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
- The Prophecy Keepers by Melaine Bryant
- The Spook’s Curse by Joseph Delaney
- The Spook’s Secret by Joseph Delaney
- The Spook’s Battle by Joseph Delaney
- The Spook’s Stories: Witches by Joseph Delaney
- Lirael by Garth Nix
- Once Upon A Time In The North by Philip Pullman
- The Magician’s Apprentice by Trudi Canavan
- Mister Monday by Garth Nix
- Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix
- The Spook’s Tale by Joseph Delaney
- The Spook’s Sacrifice by Joseph Delaney
- Sabriel by Garth Nix
Book of the Month
Apartment 16 by Adam Nevill
Some doors are better left closed . . . In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And it’s been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever.
Latest interviews
Interviews plus question and answer sessions with authors, narrators and publishers.
Must-reads
The following reviews are of books that begin the very best fantasy series available.
Special Feature: Fantasy Book Review talks to the Book View Cafe
Book View Cafe is a cooperative site created by a group of writers - including internationally renowned authors Katharine Kerr, Ursula Le Guin and Vonda N. McIntyre - who want to take advantage of the internet's possibilities for reaching a wider audience and to distribute their work directly to their readers. The Book View Cafe is a place where you can find free, original fiction plus the authors' best and out-of-print work for a fee. Fantasy Book Review spoke to Book View Cafe member, science fiction author and memoirist Chris Dolley in February 2010.
Special Feature: Understanding the author of Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll, the elusive author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, has been the subject of enduring fascination for the past hundred years. The destruction of many major documents about his personal life by his descendants has only magnified the mystery. Jenny Woolf's biography, published to coincide with the release of the new Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland film, lays waste to the myths and suspicions that have obscured Carroll's reputation by placing him firmly in the context of his own time.
