Review of Dragon Magic

[Priya Murugesan]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dragon Magic" by Charles Townsend.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Dragon Magic by Charles Townsend is a fantasy novel that combines action with elements of mystery. This young adult fiction follows the adventures of Calon, a cheery sixteen-year-old apprentice working for a baker. When the story begins, Calon is walking through an alley when he is met by a strange man who is a magician. The man thrusts a mysterious bundle into the hands of Calon and urges him to hide it before running away. Calon then encounters a group of Donbur soldiers pursuing the magician and his secret bundle. Earlier, the Count of Donbur had overthrown the Duke of Koltor and taken over Koltor. As a loyal citizen of Koltor, Calon doesn't want to give off the bundle to the enemy soldiers. So, he immediately plans to hide the bundle. Thus, his great adventure starts! While Calon is searching for a place to hide the bundle, a mysterious girl who looks like a rebel joins his adventure. She is keen to restore the deposed Duke of Koltor. Along the way, the magician who initially gave the package to Calon is also thrown along with the pair and joins their fabulous journey. Now, it is up to Calon, the mystery girl, and the magician to bring down the Count of Donbur and restore the Duke of Koltor. Who is the mystery girl? What is in the secret bundle? Will the trio succeed in restoring the duke and bringing peace to Koltor? To find out more, grab the book and start reading!

Dragon Magic is the fourth book in the Illusions of Power series and the first in the Illusions of Power - Dragon series. This story is set in the same world, an imaginary country in a medieval period, like the previous books in the series. It takes place a little after where the earlier stories left off, and the characters that appear in those stories are mentioned in this book.

I loved the various characters—Calon, with his funny demeanor and love for animals; the mystery girl, with her strong will, intelligence, and amusing character of changing her name according to the situation; and the magician, with his grand persona and ambitious plans. I adored the pun-filled jokes made by Calon, which were dreadfully funny. Also, I enjoyed the playful banter between him and the mystery girl. I loved Boris, the adorable dog. I appreciated the way the author had created a meticulous ancient world; his vivid descriptions of the town, people, shops, etc., were captivating. His writing style was simple yet elegant. I have read the first book in the series, which I enjoyed a lot, and I would love to see this series adapted into a movie. 

I loved the book cover. Though simple, the cracked egg illustration set against a subtle background attracted me, and I was totally intrigued by it. The maps of towns and castles, given at the beginning of the book, aid the readers in visualizing the story. The book incorporates coming-of-age elements, such as romance and attraction, in a way that is suitable for young readers.

However, I spotted more than 10 errors while reading the book, which were distracting and deterred the enjoyment of my reading experience. The book really needs another round of editing, as I noted numerous spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Other than that, I have no other complaints. So, for the sole reason of subpar editing, I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. While this book is intended for young readers, I believe that adults who love fantasy and action will also enjoy this book. 

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Dragon Magic
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[Pradeep T M]

Good review and it showcased the essence if the book. As it highlighted about magic, it will be really good book to read.

[Charles Benson]

Dropped into Calon’s flour-dusted world and swept into a rebellion via a mysterious bundle—it’s the kind of storytelling that sneaks up on you. Dragon Magic doesn’t just spin a tale of fantasy; it weaves political tension, personal loyalty, and just enough mystery to make each chapter feel like a breadcrumb trail. I really like how it keeps the stakes high without losing the charm of a wide-eyed young protagonist stumbling into something far bigger than himself.

[Priya Murugesan]

Dropped into Calon’s flour-dusted world and swept into a rebellion via a mysterious bundle—it’s the kind of storytelling that sneaks up on you. Dragon Magic doesn’t just spin a tale of fantasy; it weaves political tension, personal loyalty, and just enough mystery to make each chapter feel like a breadcrumb trail. I really like how it keeps the stakes high without losing the charm of a wide-eyed young protagonist stumbling into something far bigger than himself.

Thanks for reading my review!

[Elavarasi Charles]

The summary is really captivating. The political conflict laced with mystical ties to a bundle is intriguing. From what you enjoyed, the trio seems to be a memorable and chaotic bunch each with their own mystery and want. I love the setup. As you said, after polished editing, the book has the potential to win hearts. Great review for a great book!

[Priya Murugesan]

The summary is really captivating. The political conflict laced with mystical ties to a bundle is intriguing. From what you enjoyed, the trio seems to be a memorable and chaotic bunch each with their own mystery and want. I love the setup. As you said, after polished editing, the book has the potential to win hearts. Great review for a great book!

Thanks, Elavarasi!

[Anu Anand]

I really enjoyed the first three books in this series. Each one had such a great mix of action and mystery. This one sounds just as exciting! Calon’s adventure already has me curious. Thanks for sharing this amazing review.

[Priya Murugesan]

I really enjoyed the first three books in this series. Each one had such a great mix of action and mystery. This one sounds just as exciting! Calon’s adventure already has me curious. Thanks for sharing this amazing review.

Thanks, Anu!

[NetMassimo]

I might be old for this novel but I had good impressions from the reviews of other Charles Townsend's books, so I'll have to try reading his fantasy stories, as they seem engaging and well-constructed. Thank you for your great review!

[Victor Nwabuisi]

I love stories with a blend of mystery, action and humor and Calon sounds like a character I’d really enjoy. Plus the idea of a pun-loving hero and a shapeshifting name rebel girl sounds like such a fun dynamic. Thanks for the interesting review.

[Seetha E]

Having read The Magician's Secret, I can see it carries a similar thread of intrigue. It will be fun to read about the trio managing to protect their prized possession. Thank you for an interesting review, @Priya Murugesan

[Priya Murugesan]

Having read The Magician's Secret, I can see it carries a similar thread of intrigue. It will be fun to read about the trio managing to protect their prized possession. Thank you for an interesting review, @Priya Murugesan

As you said, it was really a good and fun read!