With a strong start, a strong middle, and a weak ending focusing on the second character Roger instead of Mella, this book was a good read. Mella is obviously the more interesting character, and she is driven by her job as a dragonkeeper to help dragons. Roger is a "dragon hunter" who discourses from the life his dad wants him to have. Roger is the weaker of the two, often pointed out by Mella herself(so the reader doesn't have to), while Mella devotes herself to accomplishing the task she promises to do to a dying dragon.

The beginning and the middle are powerful, amazing. The goal is strong, and both of them are determined to accomplish it. As we near the end, however, it fizzles into an ending focusing upon Roger being appreciated and accepted and Mella's ending or fate left unanswered.

I would definitely rate this two-and-a-half stars off the ending alone, so much is unanswered, what becomes of Mella? What comes of the friendships? What happens to the relationship between them?

Off the rest of it, three-and-a-half to four stars, it's really good and pulls you in fast. It's the last few chapters that are complete bummers and really feel like a quick wrap up and nothing more. It ends too sharply, and cuts off swift, without any real answers for Mella, our focal protagonist. ( )

One of the better dragon books, I've read.
Exciting story, fast paced and well written. Boy and girl main characters. ( )

Mella is a dragonskeeper, which means she takes care of her family's domesticated farm dragons. One day, she meets a wild dragon who is dying and agrees to take its egg to the Hatching Grounds, far in the mountains. A squire named Roger accompanies her on the adventure and together they must find their way out of many tricky situations.

Positive review by School Library Journal 1/1/2008. http://www.mackin.com/MackinOnline/SearchResultsFullRecord.aspx?id=2&Index=2...

This book could be used for identifying story elements, especially the characters' traits. Sarah and Roger each have very distinctive traits. ( )

Fantasy is usually my thing, but this wasn't my favorite -
There wasn't quite enough there to make the world fully realized in fantasy, and the characters were a little too stylized for me.
I do like the story line and I think the premise is unique - even if the ending was predictable a little bit of a let down. It does make for a good solid read for younger (3rd-4th grade) readers ready to try an adventurous fantasy on for size. ( )

Mella has a rare talent - she's a dragon keeper. But her dragons are partially domesticated; wild dragons only appear in legends these days. One day, Mella accidentally finds a real dragon egg, and when its dragon is slain she promises to deliver the precious egg to its hatching ground far away in the mountains. Accompanied by a new friend, a squire named Roger, Mella sets off to keep her promise.

This is a good fantasy adventure with likeable characters. And dragons. Bound to be a hit. ( )