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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This epic novel - aimed primarily at the eight to twelve year-old age group - transports the reader to the magical Land of Dragor, where seven dragon clans live hidden from man. Their great war, The Battle of Surion, is over and the dragons live peacefully among the smoking mud pools and around The Fire Which Must Never Go Out. But there is unease in the air of their mist-filled valley, and the coming of a strange egg heralds a new era. Will the new dragon, Yoshiko, bring a blessing to the clans, or a curse? Could Dragor be about to meet its saviour, or its destroyer? The book contains a powerful secret, and as the story unfolds it explores a myriad of themes, which will strike a chord with children the world over - and their parents! The prime message is that everyone has a special gift, and when we find that unique talent within us we can use it to achieve happiness and success. Chameleon-like Yoshiko is bullied and tormented as he grows up but eventually rises above his challenges to use his gift for the common good. The book promotes spirituality and self-worth, but in a subtle, exciting and entertaining way as the plot progresses. Healing crystals with magical powers play a major role in the narrative, and the varied clans, with their tribal differences, will appeal to kids who love to select a group they can identify with. It is these rich layers of interest, woven into the storyline, which bring a unique quality to this book - the first in the Land of Dragor series - and provide the potential to make it and future books a literary phenomenon.
About the Author
As a child Julia Suzuki grew up listening to the magical sounds of fairground rides and animals from a theme park across the stream at the bottom of the garden. A childhood love of reading, nature and the outdoors fed her colourful imagination. A challenging business career followed, working with a Disney licensing company before setting up her own business. Her experiences, along with a keen interest in personal development, inspired her to become an author, thus combining her creative talents with the philosophies of happiness and success that she has learned. The inspiration for her writing comes from her continuing desire to take her readers on a journey of magic, fun, excitement and adventure.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wow what a book! I couldn't put it down i was drawn right in to the adventure and the messages within. A beautiful story of a little dragon born different to others but throughout the tale of him struggling with his differences and the taunts and bullying he gains strength and ability to love and help all the other dragon clans. Highly recommended for all ages! Well done Julia x
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only does it keep you entertained from cover to cover, it also provides an inspirational story about self-belief and the importance of independence. I sympathised greatly with Yoshiko, having been bullied in the past myself, and it's books like this one that truly gives you hope that you're not alone, and you can rise above it!
Format:Hardcover
Sometimes you read a book that is like a big mug of hot chocolate - it's very satisfying and warms you all the way through - and sometimes those books have some very interesting sprinkles you've never seen before and some uniquely coloured marshmallows you've never tasted before. That's how I would describe Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms in a nutshell - or should I say a mug?
Dragons almost always take on the role of sidekick in a fantasy story and are often portrayed either as unruly pets or ethereal creatures. It is just wonderful to find a story where dragons are the main characters and humans are the mythical race. The Land of Dragor is a beautiful place to escape to, rich in detail, legend, myths and lore which is impossible not to get wound up in. In the same breath, Dragor also shares a lot of similarities to the human world: young dragons must attend school and undergo the same challenges that any human child might. I think this is what I find so captivating, Julia Suzuki has created a world of fantasy with an original mythology but has kept it grounded and relevant to children.
Yoshiko is a fantastic hero character, just like any child he has his fair share of flaws when he begins his journey - he's self-conscious, self-pitying and has unusual physical attributes, all of which open him up to bullying from the spiteful Igorr. But as the story unfolds, so does Yoshiko's character. His hard work and determination improve his abilities and confidence, and bring out the courage that was hiding inside him. Yoshiko is a wonderful role model and the story is peppered with important messages for children and, as an adult who loves a good story, I certainly appreciated them too! The book is packed with other well-formed and engaging characters from the overgrown bully Gandar and his terrorised but equally nasty son, Igorr, to the wise old recluse, Guya, who is definitely my favourite character. Everyone you will find in life, you will find within the pages of Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms and I think that is what is at least partly at the heart of this book: it's a fantastic exploration of character. Each of the seven dragon clans have different character traits and flaws but this story is about finding the cure for those flaws and overcoming them. It's about identifying why a character behaves the way they do and not judging them based on their flaws but based on what they have been through and what they have achieved, looking at what they can do rather than what they can't.
Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms is simply a wonderful story filled with subtly delivered lessons on life which you really cannot stop learning. That's why, if this were a film, I would give it a U certificate because it is meant for everyone and has something to give to everyone who reads it, whatever your age. I have been thoroughly charmed and fallen in love with Yoshiko and the Land of Dragor and I cannot wait for the next book - especially if it is in the same beautiful hardback format as the first!
Dragons almost always take on the role of sidekick in a fantasy story and are often portrayed either as unruly pets or ethereal creatures. It is just wonderful to find a story where dragons are the main characters and humans are the mythical race. The Land of Dragor is a beautiful place to escape to, rich in detail, legend, myths and lore which is impossible not to get wound up in. In the same breath, Dragor also shares a lot of similarities to the human world: young dragons must attend school and undergo the same challenges that any human child might. I think this is what I find so captivating, Julia Suzuki has created a world of fantasy with an original mythology but has kept it grounded and relevant to children.
Yoshiko is a fantastic hero character, just like any child he has his fair share of flaws when he begins his journey - he's self-conscious, self-pitying and has unusual physical attributes, all of which open him up to bullying from the spiteful Igorr. But as the story unfolds, so does Yoshiko's character. His hard work and determination improve his abilities and confidence, and bring out the courage that was hiding inside him. Yoshiko is a wonderful role model and the story is peppered with important messages for children and, as an adult who loves a good story, I certainly appreciated them too! The book is packed with other well-formed and engaging characters from the overgrown bully Gandar and his terrorised but equally nasty son, Igorr, to the wise old recluse, Guya, who is definitely my favourite character. Everyone you will find in life, you will find within the pages of Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms and I think that is what is at least partly at the heart of this book: it's a fantastic exploration of character. Each of the seven dragon clans have different character traits and flaws but this story is about finding the cure for those flaws and overcoming them. It's about identifying why a character behaves the way they do and not judging them based on their flaws but based on what they have been through and what they have achieved, looking at what they can do rather than what they can't.
Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms is simply a wonderful story filled with subtly delivered lessons on life which you really cannot stop learning. That's why, if this were a film, I would give it a U certificate because it is meant for everyone and has something to give to everyone who reads it, whatever your age. I have been thoroughly charmed and fallen in love with Yoshiko and the Land of Dragor and I cannot wait for the next book - especially if it is in the same beautiful hardback format as the first!
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