The Crystal Rose by Ruth Karas is a young adult story.

In a time when dragons lived and sorcerers worked their magic, a frail woman is forced to do the unthinkable, to brand her son in the hope that someday he can take his rightful place as the king of the realm. She sends her son away in secret to the one person who might have the strength to save him. A few years later, a man is out late at night when a dragon is seen flying and the man does the unthinkable, he wishes for the boy to be taken to spare his life. His wish is granted leaving him gold for the exchange. Not far away, Breanne is happily living with her father at the inn that they run. Many knights come through in hopes of slaying a dragon, but none have ever returned to tell the tale. Breanne has had dreams in the past, but the one she has tonight is very strange about a woman who send her young son away and that “her precious rose is within the dragon’s shadow.” What could these strange dreams mean? Is the little boy safe? What do all of these individual situations have in common?

Ms. Karas has created a phenomenal young adult story with characters who are willing to fight for what is right. Breanne has lived through many tragedies, but somehow she has retained the strength to keep fighting. The scenes with the dragons are so descriptive that they come alive for the reader. I enjoyed the comedic relief enacted through the baby dragon Eth. The situations and mischief he always got into was hilarious. Breanne’s first reaction when she saw the dragons was fright, but as she got to know them she loved them. Add to this the sorcerer Aldwyn, a most modest and unusual man, and you have a riveting and compelling plot. It is my hope that young people can read this and for a little while live in a world where what seems the impossible is just a moment away.

Reviewed by: Teresa