The Coming of the Dragon, Rebecca Barnhouse
The Coming of the Dragon, Rebecca Barnhouse
1 Rating(s)
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The Coming of the Dragon

Author: Rebecca Barnhouse

Narrator: Robin Sachs

Unabridged: 8 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/02/2010


Synopsis

Rebecca Barnhouse weaves Norse gods, blood feuds, and a terrifying dragon into this spectacular retelling of the end of the Old English poem Beowulf.

When he was a baby, Rune washed up onshore in a boat, along with a sword and a pendant bearing the runes that gave him his nickname. Some people thought he was a sacrifice to the gods and wanted to send him right back to the sea. Luckily for Rune, King Beowulf disagreed. He lifted the boy from the boat and gave him to Amma, a wisewoman living on a farm far removed from the king’s hall, to raise as she saw fit.

Sixteen years later, Rune spends his summers laboring on the farm. And at King Beowulf’s request, he comes to the hall each winter for weapons training. But somehow he never quite fits in. Many people still fear he will bring a curse on the kingdom. Then a terrible thing happens. On a lonely crag on a mountain that belongs to the giants, someone awakens a dragon. It is time for Rune to find the warrior inside himself and prove to the doubters once and for all that he is a true hero.

About The Author

Rebecca Barnhouse is the author of The Book of the Maidservant. She first read Beowulf in Old English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her doctorate, studying Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and medieval literature written in Old and Middle English, Old Norse, and other fascinating languages. She teaches and writes about medieval topics and about children’s literature set in the Middle Ages.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Rachel

3.5 stars. This story is inspired by the epic poem Beowulf. I liked the author's note at the end that explained the differences between this story and the poem. I haven't read Beowulf in years, but I remember enjoying it in school. I do think the pacing was a bit off, and during the first half it was......more

Goodreads review by Sharon

After reading, and loving, Peaceweaver by Rebecca Barnhouse I decided I needed to read the companion book The Coming of the Dragon (which was published first). This young adult book; appropriate for middle grade readers and older, was inspired by Beowulf. During the time of peace following Grendel's......more

Goodreads review by P

I needed something different. A colleague gave me this several years ago. When I was teaching 12th grade English, we would be knee deep into Beowulf at this time of year. So I thought I’d go for it. I was pleasantly surprised. Rebecca Barnhouse, who teaches at nearby Youngstown State University, ret......more

Goodreads review by Aidan

I liked this book very much. I gave it a 4* because some parts of it were really slow paced, while others to fast paced. Also, the ending isn't really as exciting as other books have read. But overall, it was an exciting book with a new author for me. I can't wait to read the second book! This is an......more