The Dragon's Pearl
Grade 5–9—Sixteen-year-old Marco Polo lives with his grandfather in their family home in Venice, waiting eagerly for his father's return from his voyage east and getting himself and his friend Amelio into trouble. In a devastating turn, Marco's uncle arrives without his father, explaining that Niccolo was captured by ferocious humanlike creatures that attacked their group. Determined to do anything he can to save him, Marco vows to join the rescue effort and bring his father home. Using an inscription fromThe Travels of Marco Poloas its inspiration, Jordan's novel plunges readers into a world of sorcery, unknown territory, and magical beings. Though replete with adventure and suspense, it suffers under the weight of anachronistic and chatty dialogue. While purporting to be a historical fantasy, contemporary phrases, sentiment, and colloquialisms prevent readers from getting lost in the world that Jordan creates. With so many other fantasy adventures available, it's easy to pass on this one.—Bethany Isaacson, Wheaton Regional Library, Silver Spring, MDEND--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.