The Last Dragon, A Fantasy Novel by Silvana de Mari

The Last Dragon is a well-told fantasy story that grabs the reader from the very beginning. Despite an occasional lag in the action, the story will engage readers from start to finish. We meet kind-hearted humans, a lonely elf, two irascible dragons and a young girl who misses her parents. They all try to rise above the dreary, cruel world they live in, but it is only through their caring for others that they finally triumph. The tale incorporates sweet humor and incompetent villains to balance the darkness in the lives of the main characters. The Last Dragon will appeal to both boys and girls, 4th grade and up.

In a dreary world, we meet young Yorsh, an orphaned elf who is hungry and cold. He encounters two humans who take pity on him, even though they are bemused by his outlook on what constitutes a good meal. Through a series of humorous misunderstandings, they learn to trust one another. When they are all taken captive in the town of Daligar, his companions learn the dangers of being in the company of an elf, and Yorsh learns how dangerous it is to be an elf. He also discovers the prophecy that ties him, as the last elf, to the last dragon. He knows he must find the last dragon to set the world right again.

In this marvelous fantasy, Yorsh meets with kindness and cruelty and tries to make sense of the human world. The surprising ending gives the reader the satisfaction of knowing the prophecy has been fulfilled. But along the way we have met unforgettable characters and had some fun in the process.

Silvana De Mari has written a many-layered story that can be read and enjoyed on different levels. Humor, surprises, and wishes fulfilled are balanced against cruelty and bigotry. Ultimately, there is the strong friendship and caring for others that makes this story memorable. The Last Dragon will appeal to tweens and adults alike who are looking for an imaginative, enduring tale. The Last Dragon is also an excellent read-aloud for the family or the classroom.

Jean Hatfield has experience as a children’s librarian, a school librarian, and a head librarian. She has served on the selection committee for major children’s book awards and is presently responsible for the selection of public library materials for youth – children and young adults - for the public library system in the largest city in Kansas, Wichita.