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The Age of Dragons Series by James A. Owen (Simon & Schuster, 2015, 2016)
Fiction/Fantasy/Young Adult
Why We Love It: Who wouldn’t love a series where J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and Charles Williams become guardians of a map to a parallel fantasy world that contains the seeds of all our myths and stories? Seriously, the premise of this series is that Tolkien, Lewis, and Williams stumble into becoming guardians of The Imaginarium Geographica, a map to the fantastical Archipelago of Dreams.
Originally a seven book series titled The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, the series has been combined into three volumes and retitled The Age of Dragons. In each book, Tolkien, Lewis, and Williams travel into the fantasy realm to combat the threat of the mysterious Winter King.
Owen manages to include just about every major historical literary figure and mythology into this series. Sometimes it feels a bit overwrought, but for the most part it actually works as a grand world-building exercise. Owen combines things in an original enough way that it feels more than just a bad pastiche. Each book in the series continues to build on the others and more and more layers get added in as the stakes get raised. I found and read the
first book on a whim, but quickly got sucked in.
I should also say that this series includes one of the most compelling villain redemption stories I have ever witnessed in literature.
If you are a fan of fantasy, the Inklings, and mythology, you will enjoy this series.
Chris teaches writing and literature to college and high school students. He is the author of several books of poetry, and has released several albums of original music. He is also an amateur photographer, part-time stick-swordfighter, and chai enthusiast. He and his wife Jen enjoy reading, writing, and exploring the cities, coasts, and forests of New England.
6 Comments
Kristin
What an interesting premise and ambitious story. My son will definitely want to take a look at this series!
Jessica Boniface
How fun! I was looking up his books by his name and I was surprised to see Bandersnatch pop up. He was the illustrator! It’s so fun to see various pieces of my world overlap. Thanks for the recommendation, Chris.
John Szabo
I just started reading this series and I am now totally enthralled!!! Excellent recommendation!!!
Justin Dunn
I am trying to find where I can purchase the age of dragon books. The internet is coming up nil! Can you help?
Justin Dunn
Never mind. I’m an idiot. I found it. 🙂
Chris Yokel
@chrisyokelHi Justin, here you go: https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Dragons-There-Search-Dragon/dp/1481429965/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1520348098&sr=8-7
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