The Dragons of Ordinary Farm

Tad Williams & Deborah Beale (authors)

Quercus, UK: 2009; 412pp

ISBN: 9781849160667

Genres: adventure, fantasy

Issues: corruption, family, loyalty, siblings, trust

When Tyler and Lucinda find themselves forced to spend the summer with their unknown Great Uncle Gideon, a farmer, they expect to die of boredom. Ordinary Farm turns out to be something of a misnomer: the creatures that live there are far from ordinary.

There's a flying monkey, for example. And a herd of far-from-tame unicorns. Not to mention a very large, very pregnant and very cranky dragon! But the real question is - if Uncle Gideon wanted them to visit, why is he being so hostile and secretive? And why is it that the workers on Ordinary Farm seem just as unusual as the creatures they tend? Tyler and Lucinda find their normal state of mutual resentment must be put aside if they are to get through this extraordinary summer holiday in one piece.

This is a cleverly crafted novel packed with material designed to grab the reader's attention and keep the pages turning. Particularly refreshing is the complexity of each character. The farm hands are very believable in their irritable care of the children who have been thrust into their fragile world. Even the sinister Patience Needle is a complex blend of dark power and loyalty to the farm.

Unusually for a fantasy/adventure for this reading age, The Dragons of Ordinary Farm radiates tension and mystery - a combination that will have young readers keen for the next installment.