ISBN 13:30508000107298. Hardcover $19.99
Book Awards:
2008 Best Fantasy Novel: Aurealis Award Winner
2008 Honour Book: James Triptree Jr. Award
2009 Notable Book: CBCA Award
2009 Shortlisted: NSW Premeir's Literary Award, Ethel Turner Prize
2009 Parent's Choice Award
Book Talk:
"From the Primer Scrolls of Jion Tzu:
No one knows how the first Dragoneyes made their dangerous bargain with the twelve engergy dragons of good fortune. The few scrolls and poems that have survived the centuries start the story well after the deal was struck between man and spirit beast to protect our land. It is rumored, however, that a black folio still exists that tells of the violent beginning and predicts a catastrophic end to the ancient alliance....
Only those boys who can see an energy dragon can hope to be a Dragoneye candidate. It is a rare gift to be able to see the dragon of your birth year, and even rarer to be able to see any of the other dragons. Every New Year, twelve boys, born 12 years before. face the ascending dragon and pray that their gift is enough for the beast. One of them is chosen and in that moment of union - and only for that moment - all men can see the dragon in all his glory.
Women have no place in the world of dragon magic. It is said that they bring corruption to the art and do not have the physical strength or depth of character needed to commune with an energy dragon. It is also thought that the female eye, too practiced in gazing at itself cannot see the truth of the energy world." (Dragoneye Reborn, pages 1-2)
Eon is a candidate hoping to be chosen as the next Dragoneye by the Rat Dragon. Not only does Eon have the ability to see into the spirit world, Eon has the very rare ability to see all of the dragons that exist in the spirit world. Eon is one of the twelve chosen candidates to present themselves to the Rat Dragon in the great ceremonies. He is the last hope of his Master. His Master has trained two other candidates since he stepped down as the Dragoneye. The other two candidates failed to be chosen, and Master's fortunes have declined as a result. Eon was found working in the salt mines by his Master. Since that time, Eon has trained relentlessly for the position of Dragoneye. If Eon is not chosen as the next Dragoneye, he will be sold into slavery.
Eon's ascendancy to the Dragoneye position is not guaranteed. In spite of Eon's great gifts, he is considered untouchable. His hip was broken and repaired badly several years ago. He walks with a limp, and is considered a cripple. Many feel that he should not even have been chosen to train as one of the twelve.
But, Eon has an even darker secret than his bad hip. Eon is actually Eona. Master found Eona in the salt mines. She was a girl with marvelous gifts of power and spirit, and the ability to see all of the dragons. She truly has a chance to become the next Dragoneye. If anyone discovers Eona's secret, she will be killed instantly for her deceptions and for daring to tread onto the sacred grounds.
Eon's life is filled with twist, turns, and deviousness. The Emporer's brother is lusting after the throne. Lord Ido, the current Rat Dragoneye is conniving to gain full control of the Dragoneye Council. And Eona finds herself treading the treacherous, dangerous waters of conspiracy and betrayal.
How will the Dragoneye Council survive? And what will be the fate of the Cloud Kingdom?
Author Website: www.alisongoodman.com.au
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