Eon

Review for Eon and Eona These books bring a lot to the table that isn’t usually seen in Young Adult fantasy; it’s a fantasy world based on Asian culture and history (and is accurately and respectfully done), as opposed to the ridiculously abundant European influenced fantasy. It has strong feminist themes and encourages the acceptance and embracing of female strength. There is an absolutely fantastic transgender character as well as the main character and another minor character are physically disabled. And while I do have one issue with the handling of the disabilities, for the most part, it’s excellently done and even questions some important issues in the modern world. These books are really just a boatload of well-done representation for race, gender, and the disabled, not to mention this is all paired with an excellent plot that balances magic, dragons, and Eona’s path to self-discovery and acceptance. Not to mention, these books have some of the greatest side characters I’ve seen: the transgender Lady Dela, the islander eunuch Ryko, Prince Kygo of the Celestial Empire, Lord Ido, one truly charming and completely ass of an antagonist. They’re all excellent characters that really balance Eona and help her growth. Eona herself goes through a powerful and painful transformation, from being a boy because she wanted respect, to being a woman that commands respect. Watching Eona’s development is terribly satisfying and very empowering, especially as she deals with morality and her desire for power. The writing is very well done, doing an excellent portrayal of ancient Asian culture and society in this novel, creating amazing characters, and handling magic, mystery, romance, and self-discovery all deftly in this duology. I highly recommend these two books for anyone looking for something different than the usual Young Adult (or Adult) fantasy, and a truly remarkable story.

I loved this book. It kept me up way too late on many nights. It's satisfyingly long and, at the end, I was delighted to know there was another one so I could keep living in this world a little longer. I never felt a sag, as some people have noted. I love historical fantasy, and that's what this feels like, even though it's fully fantasy because it's a "made-up" world. The world has a Far-Eastern influence and, in that sense, is true to the historical feel of the ancient world, although it's a combination of all of the Far Eastern cultures. That means there are some areas where the world-building or plot arcs require some slowing of the action to set stages. It's all good, as the breathing space these scenes give is spaced perfectly so the action doesn't become overwhelming, and her beautiful drawing of the world allows it to bleed off the page. It feels real. The character arcs are well done, and for secondary characters as well as main characters. I am fully invested in Eon/Eona's journey, and I can't wait to see how it ends. I'm adding Alison Goodman to my list of favorite authors!

The world is very well developed and is loosely based on Eastern (Chinese/Japanese) culture and philosophy. Political intrigue plays a large role in this fantasy society; everyone bows to the emperor and a handful of powerful lords. Then there are the "Dragoneyes" who are people with special powers to command magical dragons to protect the lands from natural disasters and such. Then there are the common people: merchants and servants who live a hard life but rarely complain. Into this mix steps Eona, a young girl who was sold into slavery at a young age. Her current master, a former Dragoneye whose tenure in office has ended, has decided to train her and present her to the world as a boy, Eon, who is in training to become one of the Dragoneye candidates for the next cycle (Dragons select a new master every 12 years based on the Chinese calendar). If anyone discovers their ruse, they will both be put to death and their ancestors' will be forever shamed. "Eon" was crippled in a wagon accident and is believed to be a eunuch, one whose parents had him... ahem... clipped... before he was sold into slavery; this is how Eona's master chooses to get her past public scrutiny. In this society, cripples are shunned and nobody really looks very closely at them, for they fear that their "bad luck" is contagious. Yeah it's an interesting read. It deals a lot with the themes of identity: how we are perceived by the world vs. how we want to be perceived vs. who we really are. Eona/Eon struggles with being a teenage girl who must pretend to be a boy, in a male-dominated society, while she tries to convince a dragon to choose her despite this ruse. She was raised as a slave in the salt mines but now seeks to gain a position as one of the most powerful and respected figures in the empire. And on top of that, she has to deal with a crippled leg. Add to this basic plot a healthy dose of dragon magic and Eastern mythology and it really is a good read. Maybe too deep for younger readers though. Note: the sequel to this book, "Eona," is also a good read but it deals with the events that happen after the emperor's half-brother tries to steal the throne and after Eona reveals her true identity. While this first one is an interesting political satire, the second book is more of a romance focusing on the developing relationship between Eona and the Emperor (who is the Prince in this first book in the series). So you might enjoy one of these books but not the other, or both, because even though they are part of the same literary universe and Eona is a direct sequel to Eon, they are written in very different styles.

Very different take from typical dragon stories. A strong asian influence. I found it to be fast paced through most of the book. Each character having very distinct personalities. Written so well I stayed up late and wanted to read when I could not. Sadly because I read so much, so fast I was done reading within a couple days.

So good! I enjoyed all of the combat, betrayal, and development of identity! I can’t wait to read the next book!

In the beginning when I found out that a 16 year old girl was posing as a boy, which was forbidden, I didn't really see any danger in that. I was wrong. Apparently her master knew what he was doing when he bought a girl slave on the rice farm. Later in the book, things grew even more risky and dangerous. Eon didn't know his dragon's name. So you go through chapter after chapter and then then, you finally find out Eona (the girl's name) is her dragon's name. The first time she denied her dragon, she screamed, "My name is Eon." Now as I kept reading, I couldn't figure out why she couldn't call her dragon even though she had her dragon's name all along. When she realized her dragon's name, Lord Ido pinned her against a wall with his hand on her throat. So after she discovered her dragon's name, she did something to Ido that erased all of his hatred and he saw EVERYTHING he's done. He was shocked beyond belief. Anyway, he lets her escape and decides to risk his life by standing up to Lord Sethon (which I read on the back of Eona that she's on the run of his army) just to buy her some time, I guess. Then, the book ends. Oh and the last thing she says to Master Tozay (who she meets waiting for her group on an escape boat) is, "T would like to join your resistence." I haven't read Eona yet but I will. I'm so excited now that she's found her dragon's name=D

I am a reader and read many many books that interest me. Eon was a recommendation from Amazon and the cover did interest me but the description didnt capture me all the way. So I got a sample of the book and read it. I fell for the book and got it and began reading it immediately. The beginning was kinda like any other book; the tragic back story of the protagonist and how s/he manged to be in a tight pinch... I was distracted by the book, intrigued by Eon, who is truly Eona, a girl who hides behind a facade of a young boy. She builds Eon, because without him, her Master and herself will die due to being a traitor and such- no girls allowed to become a Dragoneye(someone who will be one with a dragon). So the story continues, the big training, allies and enemies, the reception where they show who wins or not... Its good, suspense... but the middle of the book just plain lags. It takes forever really, and its bad to say that reading a book is a chore. And the middle was a LONG part of the book. But I kept reading thinking it'll get better soon but it didnt. It didnt get better until the end. And by then, it was just a few chapters till I was finished. But it was worth reading I guess. If you like Dragons, zodiac and understanding when they talk Hua, the chakara points, then sure get this book. Its an okay book but at least the ending was real good. Action, suspense and captive. If you dont mind a long middle, get this book. The ending is worth it. I just hope the 2nd book is better in construction and suspenseful as the ending in this book.

A beautiful story. Eon is studying to become a Dragoneye, one who communes with a Zodiac dragon, however there is one big hiccup in the plan Eon and his master has. Though he can see all the Zodiac dragons, which none have done before, Eon is actually Eona, a female and girls are not allowed to become Dragoneye. Eon fights to stay a boy, where she believes there is more power and freedom then be exposed as a girl and left powerless. This is a tale of learning about oneself and accepting who you are, and finding power in finding yourself. A great novel for everyone, in particular girls who need a good female role model. 2010 Amelia Bloomer Project List

Asien, Fantasy, Spannung, Action, ...ein Buch vor allem für Frauen / Mädchen. Auf Englisch liest es sich super, die deutsche Übersetzung kenne ich nicht. Must have for fantasy fans.

Slow-paced and uneventful, but provides a foundation for the sequel, which is much more entertaining.

Well written. Alison Gooman writes beautifully detailed. The story is very exciting. I had a wonderful time reading this book.

Quite different from any other book I have ever read so far, but that's not the reason I am giving it 5 stars. It is getting 5 stars because I was glued to this book over the course of the past three days, and the whole culture, characters and life in this imaginary world are outstanding. I put this book down around 3 minutes ago, and am now chillaxing in France, clicking my knuckles to write this review. That was kinda hypothetical. I can't click my knuckles. Ouch. Although I AM in France. One of the best things about this book, is that each of the characters are so completely believable, and that makes everything much more emotional. Eon, above all (or Eona?) was one of the best heroine's I have ever had the pleasure of reading about. The journey she progressed through, and the changes her character made throughout the novel, were outstanding. Will I be reading the sequel 'Eona'? UMAD!? 'Course I will. ASAP. But I can't get it 'till I'm back in England. :( Overall, to finish my review, in my big conclusive paragraph of ramblings, this book was literally, EPIC. The first 50-odd pages were slow, but the pace quickened to the last 200 pages of hurricane climax I am still recovering from. The ending was sudden, and left a lot of questions open, not necessarily a cliff-hanger, but not far from it. 'Eona' is at the top of my 'To read' list, and this book, should be at the top of yours. I find it amusing that spelling correct keeps attempting to correct 'Eona', to 'Edna'. It really doesn't have the same ring to it. You may think that I'm not very strict with my reviews, since my last few books I also rated 5 stars. But I can assure you, I am! Its just that the book recommendations I got for my holiday in France, were spot on! That is all. ;)

A truly satisfying fantasy read in which the main protagonist comes of age in an edge-of-the-seat climactic ending. I enjoyed the reveals along the way and the secondary characters really shine.