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In the Service of Dragons (In the Service of Dragons, Book 1) | 
| Author: Robert, Stanek
Publisher: Reagent Press Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $22.71
You Save: $12.29 (35%)
New (16) Used (4) from $22.71
Rating:  59 reviews
Sales Rank: 1425844
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 280
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.6 x 1.1
ISBN: 1575451344
EAN: 9781575451343
ASIN: 1575451344
Publication Date: March 26, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
For the first time ever, Robert Stanek's In the Service of Dragons is available in a high-quality, hardcover edition with a dust jacket. This uniquely collectible edition features: two full-color cover illustrations; a special introduction to Ruin Mist's inhabitants, history, and languages; 20 full-page illustrations; an illustrated guide to people, places and things in Ruin Mist; and deluxe illustrated maps. About the Author: Robert Stanek is the award-winning, international best-selling author of more than 65 books for young people and adults. He lives with his wife and children in the Pacific Northwest in the United States, and is intensely fascinated with our natural world. He loves the outdoors and frequently takes his family on short trips to see the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest, including Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, and Puget Sound. About the Book: In the Service of Dragons is the continuation of Robert Stanek's multilayered epic fantasy adventure for young adults that began with The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches and continued through The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches 2, 3, and 4. In his acclaimed The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books, he introduced us to the story of Ruin Mist, an extraordinary world of magic, adventure, and intrigue. Now in the eagerly awaited follow-up, he once again proves himself a wonderful storyteller with a gift for fast pacing and believable storylines. Already hailed as a classic, Robert Stanek's powerful series has been enjoyed by readers all over the world. The Elves of the Reaches returned from exile, bringing grave news. War came to the Kingdoms, and many perished in the turmoil and unrest. An attempt was made to kidnap a princess and assassinate a king. Now, from the ancient past a dark power returns. "The Fourth Wind blows across the mountain tops," they say. And the Twelve Clans emerge from myth and memory. As prophecy becomes reality, the factions struggle for control only to further divide the lands. Some would say that it was foolish for King Andrew Alder to support the Elves of the Reaches and send men to aid their cause when Men in all lands were being put to the test of steel. And in the North, men back their words with action. Against a backdrop of treachery and intrigue, murder and mayhem, the price of freedom is high. Many will pay with their lives. Many will succumb to imprisonment and enslavement; for when alliances shatter, old hatreds rise anew and the plotting and scheming begin. Bold, inventive, brilliantly imagined, In the Service of Dragons is a novel of magic and wonder-a tale of pure excitement you will not soon forget.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 54 more reviews...
FULL PRAISE FOR IN THE SERVICE OF DRAGONS! July 4, 2008
James (Arizona)
9 out of 13 found this review helpful
In the Service of Dragons is a fun and exciting book. I highly recommend it. 3 lives, 3 fates intertwined
VILMOS
When little Vilmos Tabborath (a village boy) flees a bear in the woods, he would've never guessed that it would set off a chain of events that would put him face to face with evil shapeshifters, enemy soldiers and magic-loathing priests.
ADRINA
When sad Adrina Alder (a princess) wishes for change, she would've never guessed that it would come so soon and that it would make her life even more miserable than ever, that she would have to face the dragon king, avoid killers, and escape kidnappers.
SETH
When unworldly Brother Seth (an elf) seeks to learn about humankind, he would've never guessed that it would mean he would lose touch with his own kind, that he would be ambushed, betrayed and left for dead.
My favorite things that I like about this book are the ancient heroes and legends who have returned to help restore the land
TITANS
Titans were the original rulers of the worlds. They ruled with iron fists.
EAGLE LORDS
Eagle lords were once a mighty people. They dwells in the mountain ranges.
MYSTICS
Mystics have powers of illusion and control. They were all but forgotten yet still feared like wizards.
These ancient powers return in the form of Amir, Ayrian and Noman. Amir, son of Ky'el, is one of the last and he uses orbs of power to travel the lands. Ayrian, the lord of the gray eagles, has returned to reclaim what his people lost and to battle the ancient evil. Noman, a master of illusion, has returned to form a company of companions that just may save the world.
In the Service of Dragons is a well-written and exciting book! It will keep you reading and reading. Two thumbs way up!
Not perfect but nevertheless a truly magical experience July 1, 2008
Nichole Hughes
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Every reader has a "first book" that captivated their heart and took them where nothing had before. Just like a first kiss or a first love, it is something that you always remember. For me, it was the Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches quartet. Robert Stanek pulled me in with The Kingdoms and the Elves #1, then entwined me with the next three novels. Imagine my delight when I discovered the Service of Dragons quartet was a direct continuation of the other series.
I think I've read the series (start to finish) over ten times, and each time I find something new I hadn't seen before, and the delight starts all over again. On the surface it can seem like many other fantasy tales. Men and Elves, Dragons and Wizards, Good vs. Evil. We've seen it before but Stanek spins the fantasy standards in new ways and invents an entire fantasy uniiverse in the process.
He takes us on this fantastic journey through the eyes of the naive Seth, the innocent Vilmos and the dreamer Adrina. They are good, friendly, highly likeable folk caught in the middle of a cataclysmic change. Where as The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books are light hearted tales of adventure, Service of Dragons takes you on a deeper, darker journey.
I can't recommend any fantasy work higher. It will take you where only dreams can, and you almost hope you never have to return to reality.
In the Service of Dragon = addiction July 1, 2008
Helen Keisser
25 out of 29 found this review helpful
Just a warning here, these books are like potato chips, it's very difficult to eat only one!!! ...and then you'll find yourself walking around singing Eldrick's song of the tree brothers or longing to reread the part where Vilmos plays Edward in King's Mate or wanting to jump ahead to get to the next trio match.
I bought this book around Christmastime and found the story to be fascinating. As soon as I finished, I found myself reading the next book and then another. After that I was ready for the fourth and final book. (I also recommend the Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches books as the place to get stated.)
Beautifully written, epic in scope and packed with adventure December 11, 2007
Grady Birdsall (Pennsylvania, USA)
23 out of 27 found this review helpful
You know it still surprised me when I run across a kid who hasn't read one of Stanek's Kingdoms or Dragons books yet. These books are so amazing and so descriptive, the comparisons to Lewis, Dahl and other great writers are right on. Kids is my classroom aren't exactly sheltered, but they often don't hear of all the wonderful new authors and each year I love introducing them to Stanek's books. I have five copies of his Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches #1 in my class library and after the first few weeks kids were already begging me for Book #2 and Book #3. They were thrilled when they found out there was a Book #4 and I saved the best surprise for last, this whole new series, In the Service of Dragons, with four more books for them to enjoy. The first in the Dragon series, Stanek raises the stakes, adds in a couple new heroes and villians, and basically ratchets up the tension while cutting down on the easygoing moments. We get to see the bigger scope of things through Noman, who's on a rescue mission to save nothing less than the entire world and all the magical realms. It's bound to make readers happy (and it does). "In the Service of Dragons," will satisfy its die-hard fans. A fine addition to a fun, fast-paced series.
Truly magical! December 11, 2007
Deansmamma (Georgia)
22 out of 27 found this review helpful
If you've been following this fascinating series, you'll already know that it is based in a fantasy world called Ruin Mist. This first book of a completed four book sequel series to The Kingdoms and the Elves. It starts with a mighty titan watching a procession of giants. When the titan returns to his over world, his mystic companion is nearly swept away into a swirling gray abyss and thus starts a truly amazing story of men, elves, titans, royals, commoners and fair folk.
This well-written book is terrific reading for all ages. Cool monsters, shadow warriors and bad guys abound. This is one of those series where you just gotta get them all. Good thing all four books are available.
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