Garden of the Purple Dragon

In the time of the Han Dynasty in ancient China, a young orphan struggles to fulfil her destiny.

Title: Garden of the Purple Dragon

Series: Dragonkeeper: Book 2
Author: Carole Wilkinson

ISBN: 9781742032467

Language: English

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Released: 1st July 2013

Classification: Fiction
Type: YA fantasy (China-based)
Themes: Ancient China, personal growth, dragons, friendship

Garden of the Purple Dragon is the second book in the Dragonkeeper series. This novel picks up where Dragonkeeper left off.

Danzi has not been heard from since he left and Ping is left to care for and raise his son, Kai, by herself. They struggle to get by until one day a chance encounter sees Ping and Kai at the Imperial Lodge as guests of the very young emperor. She finds though that people and their motivations are not as they appear.

This is a solid sequel to the Dragonkeeper series. It does have a very dark nature to this book so I would only recommend it for grade 2 and up (and even then you need to consider the class composition of behaviours and sensitivities). As noted the necromancer scenes are at times quite horrific and graphic so I do strongly advise caution as a teacher. It's very important to read this book prior to implementing it in the classroom.

Jun is a nice addition to the story, a poor boy who is set to become Kai's new keeper. He provides a much-needed balance to the story.

There is a lot of development for Ping. In the first book, she really had to learn to do new things whereas this book is more about her emotional development. She is taken in by the splendour of the palace and the Princess and this ultimately blinds her to the real truth. Another point to mention is that we do finally get to learn about her family but this does, in some ways, fall a little flat.

In terms of the historical aspect of this book, it is a work of fiction. Having written that Liu Che was really an Emperor of China. His thirst for finding a way to become immortal is well documented in historical sources and the author has tied in the facet well to the book. Remembering of course that Liu Che is still young in this book but wields much power. Princess Yangxin is likewise a real historical figure who has a rather sad story. Her relationship with her brother is, in my opinion, not shown to its extent as she was extremely close to Liu Che, even once she had been sent away to be married.

Overall, it is a good read but it is lengthy. If you have a class that needs to be challenged and extended then this book would work really well.

Angus & Robertson : Booktopia

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