I like a good fairy tale, legend, mythology, or folklore story. Therefore, when I saw the cover of Three Tasks for a Dragon I figured it would be a fun story in that line of storytelling that would be about a dragon and his redemption story. And it is somewhat that; but it is also the loss of innocence, loss of youth, the greed for power, and the magic of true love and cherries.
It was the illustrations of P. J. Lynch that kept pulling me deeper into the story. The text of Eoin Colfer is written in a classic format, reminiscing of old world mythology and legends. An in-depth story that does not always shine light on the good of the world, but shows how the dark can be powerful, seductive, and in a way, more powerful than the light and good. However, I had wanted the ending to have happened in Chapter 6 but having it more happy (no spoilers, but a really big sad thing happens and it needed to for the story arc, but not for a good Happily Ever After). And the tempo of things is slow until almost the last few chapters. We spend what feels like years as Colfer takes us through a few months of the lives of the three main characters. Then, when the climax happens, the rest of the story is rushed. Yet, the ending is clever, if not completely satisfying for everyone. I am curious how others feel about it. Images chosen are very similar, but they first the ones I found, plus they were some of my favorites (which isn’t saying a lot as most of the books illustrations were my favorites).
There is some girl power in-between the masculine main characters along with some graphic images and text. Due early October 2023, I read this via an online reader copy, therefore, I am not sure of the final format. I am thinking it will be a picture book/gift book sized but with chapters and novel thickness. This might turn off the older reader, as it will look like a picture book but it is not for that age range. I would go with at least eight and up and could be a good read for ages 10 to 13.