Review: I LOVE DRAGONS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 16, 2013
I LOVE DRAGONS! I have loved dragons before I met Lachlan/Kheladin but they are THE EPITOME of why I love dragons.I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.This book is the first in Ann Gimpel's Dragon Lore series. In this first book we meet Lachlan who is a mage and a Scottish Laird - in 1683 he was the Laird of Moncreiffe Castle. As he wakes in modern times, in his dragon form known as Kheladin, he is uncertain as to where and when he is and what exactly is going on above him. As he emerges from his lair in his human form he realizes his castle and all he had known is gone and his first priority is food and personal care. I can't even imagine how hungry and unkempt I would be after sleeping 328 years!!Fortunately, Lachlan runs into Dr. Maggie Hibbins, who decided to take a walk along this deserted area for the first time ever. Our Maggie is a Psychiatrist who also happens to love the history of the area and quickly realizes that Lachlan may look like a nut but is actually a man out of place and time. She is able to educate Lachlan about the time he is in and get him to understand that changes need to be made his physical appearance and language.I LOVE DRAGONS! I have loved dragons since long before I met Lachlan/Kheladin but they are THE EPITOME of why I love dragons. In these two you have the combination of two minds and two hearts who chose to work together, to work things out and to even agree to disagree but move forward together.I quite liked the approach taken in this book towards the Celtic lore. Ann Gimpel was able to integrate the magical and spiritual beliefs and lifestyle that Lachlan/Kheladin had - due to the time they lived in -  with the science based , non-magical world we currently exist in. Ann Gimpel managed to honor traditions that may be unknown to most of us by making them a very real part of the life that Lachlan/Kheladin had led in his time before  his sleep. The world back then had been very different - fictionally here and in reality as well - and the blending of the past and present to unite the three of them was sensually and respectfully done.My only complaint - and it is a big one - is that it ended! Before I expected it to. Not with a cliff-hanger but with the simple assurance that whatever was to come they could handle.This was a true joy to read and as I ponder it for this review I realize how truly well it was written. This book is truly a seamless blending of past, present and future with humans and dragons and gods and witches and mages. The Earth will never be the same.