The Whim of the Dragon

by Pamela Dean

Book Overview

The Third and Final book of the Secret Country Trilogy Who is behind all of the Secret Country's tension and treachery? Three things have the power to destroy the Secret Country: the Border Magic, the Crystal of Earth, and the whim of the dragon. The cousins Ted, Laura, Ruth, Patrick, and Ellen have faced the first two; now, summoned back to the Secret Country, they must face the third. The Country's most trusted counselors now know that the five...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142501611
• ISBN13: 9780142501610
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.3" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Great news!

Review-wise, I can't really add much to those who have spoken before me (see below), but I can pass on that the series is to be reprinted starting in 2003! Great for those of us who were having problems finding all three books!

This book should not be out of print!

The Whim of the Dragon is the final book in an incredible series, and it lives up to the first two splendidly. In this book the children are forced to grow up, to realize that their game really has affected other people's lives. They have to take responsibility for their Secret. Dean pulls no punches. The book is bittersweet; it made me cry and laugh together, not sure which emotion was in control.Definitely one of the best things I've read. I would recommend it to everyone, but since it's unavailable that's not very useful. It's now almost impossible to find, a fact which I find frustrating to the point of tragedy.

Six stars!

_The Whim of the Dragon_ is the last book in the trilogy that begins with _The Secret Country_ and _The Hidden Land._ I cannot praise Pamela Dean's unique writing style highly enough. It sings. Magic and poetry are interwoven in a setting in which the mage's talent is essentially poetic; literary allusions, most commonly to Shakespeare, are everywhere. A superlative read for children and adults alike.

Excellent book, great fun!

The Whim of the Dragon is the final book in a trilogy. I would love to see the story continued because there could be so much more of the tale to be told. The series tells about 5 children who find a way into their secret country and must continue their "game" except it has become real life. Reading about their experiences and dreams makes for a fun tale for kids of all ages.

A fantasy book that's not just for kids!

Once again, Pamela Dean questions where reality ends and fantasy begins. When The Hidden Land ended, Ted and Laura thought they had finally escaped from the Secret Country, only to discover that they hadn't. This, the final book of the trilogy, begins...Ah, but to tell anything would be to ruin the surprise and pleasure of this book. All that I will say is that the adventures of Ted, Laura, Ruth, Ellen, and Patrick are far from over. They have survived, so far, fencing lessons, unexpected knowledge of magic, the underworld, encounters with unicorns, and war. What other adventures do they encounter? That you must discover on your own. Enjoy!