The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica:

Here, There Be Dragons

Written and illustrated by James A. Owen

Simon & Schuster, 2006

Genre: Fiction: Fantasy/Young Adult

Pages: 324

“There’s a very strange man outside, said Jack…’

One of us is totally kicking herself for not finding this book sooner.

“Good thing one of my brothers sent this to Her Momness for Mother’s Day,” spake I, Kimber the Magnificent. “Otherwise, Mom would still be clueless. Cuz this book is a bibliophile’s treasure trove. It’s just Too. Much Fun! Ya know. Like me. So way to go, bro!”

Here’s more:

Classic In The Making?

Here, There Be Dragons combines the best in myths and legends, and classic literature with top-notch writing, tongue-in-cheek humor, and high adventure. Stir in a hearty dose of rapier wit and imagination, and you’ve got a classic-in-the-making. Think a Camelot/Neverland/Narnia/221B Baker Street/Nautilus/Middle Earth-ish combo. With lots of magical galleons, dastardly villains, talking creatures and unlikely heroes to boot.

Also Avalon. Atlantis. Ali Baba. Magwich. Pandora’s Box. Magwich (you’ll get that quick if you know your Dickens. Mom got it in a heartbeat.) Also fauns and talking badgers. Stonehenge. Trolls. Goblin, elves, and dwarves. And Oxford “scowlers.” Scene stealer: Tummeler the badger.

Delightful!

“Arm yourselves, and prepare to be boarded.”

The Plot

An unusual murder brings three strangers together on a rainy night in London during World War I. John, Jack, and Charles meet an eccentric little man called Bert. He tells them that they are how the caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica – an atlas of all the lands that have ever existed in myth and legend, fable and fairy tale.

These lands, Bert claims, can only be traveled to in his ship the Indigo Dragon, one of only seven vessels table to cross between worlds into the Archipelago of Dreams.

“’Well,’ said Charys … ‘I would like to announce that the school of ‘Beating the tar out of the Wendigo’ is once more in session.’”

The companions flee London with terrifying creatures hot on their heels. They board the Dragonship and travel to the very realm of the imagination itself. But they must learn to overcome their fears and trust each other if they’re to defeat the dark forces that threaten the destiny of two worlds. In the process, they’ll share a great adventure filled with clues that lead readers to the surprise revelation of the legendary storytellers these men will one day become. (Mom figured this out right quick, too. Some people are just No Fun!)

“Checkmate!”

Here, There Be Dragons expertly combines a joyous sense of wonder with a healthy dose of sass and spun, and high adventure into a rip-roaring, epic story of the Arthurian legend type. It’s absorbing. Compelling. And lightning-quick. Talk about a “page turner!” One of us got so caught up in the story, she forgot to eat lunch! And dinner! (Hi, Mom.)

Readers who enjoy mining nuggets of classic literature and authors within in a crisp and clever plot will be delighted with this fast-paced, nimble story. It’d make a good movie.

“Blow me down and call me Shirley!”

By the way, is “Here, There Be Dragons” a caution or something else? To find out, friends, grab this book and read on! We LOVED it! Didn’t want it to end.  Do it again!

That’s good. Cuz this is Book One in a series. It’d make a great movie. Kimber: Can’t wait till my bro sends Mom the next book! Go bro, go!

 

Our Rating: 5.0