The Shadow Dragons (Chronicles Of The Imaginarium Geographica Series #4)

The Caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica are at war. The Imperial Cartological Society, led by Richard Burton, have collected all of the doors from the Keep of Time, and are building a new tower in our world at the request of an old enemy: The Winter King’s Shadow. He has a terrible weapon – The Spear of Destiny – that can be used to command the shadows of anyone it touches…including the protectors of the Archipelago, the dragons. With a ship called The Iron Dragon, the Shadow King regains passage to the Archipelago where he uses the power of the Spear and the portals of Time to enlist an unstoppable army of Dragon Shadows. And after the Archipelago falls, he intends to betray the Allies in our world – but not to align himself with the opposition. The Shadow King intends to use the turmoil of WWII to take over BOTH worlds.

All the legendary Caretakers, past and present, come together on a great island in the northermost part of the Archipelago to decide the ultimate fate of the Imaginarium Geographica, as a terrible battle ravages the lands around them. And their only hope lies with a small group of companions who are on the quest for the broken sword Caliburn: the Grail Child Rose Dyson; her mechanical companion, the owl Archie; a mouse with an attitude; a dead Professor of Ancient Literature; and the mythical knight, Don Quixote.

They must sail beyond the ends of the Archipelago in search of the sword, and the only being alive who can repair it: a scholar, who, once upon a time, was called Madoc

About The Author:

James A. Owen is the author and illustrator of the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. He is founder and executive director of Coppervale International, an art and design studio that also publishes the periodicals International Studio and Argosy Quarterly, develops television and film projects, and is redesigning an entire town, among other ventures. James has written and illustrated two dozen Starchild comics, the Mythworld series of novels (published in Germany and France), and more. He lives in Arizona.

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The Shadow Dragons (Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica Series #4)

Children's Literature

In the first three titles of "The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica," friends J.R.R. Tolkien (John), C.S. Lewis (Jack) and Charles Williams (Charles) are named Caretakers of the titular Geographica, an atlas that tells how to reach places out of legend. In their subsequent journeys through time, they save young Rose Dyson—otherwise known as King Arthur's niece—and bring her back to their present in 1936. Now, a familiar looking stranger from the future has appeared to tell them that Rose is the key to stopping an upcoming war. The only problem? In the future, Rose is murdered. Once more, it is up to John, Jack, and Charles to manipulate time and save the imaginary world. Owen excels at creating fascinating interactions between literary greats, ranging from a young and headstrong Captain Nemo to a comically single dimensional Shakespeare. While his characters are impeccable, the book's other elements are not as strong. Time travel fans will struggle with unexplained discrepancies between characters whose futures seem set and others who change theirs on a whim. Adventure fans also will be disappointed in the simple conclusion, which is so anti-climactic that even one of the protagonists states, "It just seems to have ended too quickly." This book is best suited for those who will appreciate Owen's detailed characterizations or those in search of an entertaining introduction to the authors and characters of the classic literary canon. Reviewer: Cara Chancellor