Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Eon is a YA high fantasy with a completely different feel from the European-based Medieval settings that are so common. The background for this world has a distinctly Chinese and Japanese flavor with a magic system based on the energy of twelve Dragons. The dragons' ascendancy rotates every year, and their chosen Dragoneyes are stewards of the land and help to keep the weather in balance. There is also a political system with an Emperor at the heart of it - an emperor who is dying and whose brother is power-hungry.
Eon is a girl disguised as a boy so she can take part in the annual choosing ceremony, when this year's Dragon will choose a new apprentice. The deception is dangerous enough to get her killed if she is caught, since women don't have a strong role in this society, but she has no choice since she's a slave. The danger only increases as she gets drawn into situations way over her head. The story is full of action and danger, intrigue and treachery.
At times, there is brutality and abuse that stems not only from the side of evil, but is part of a system of slavery and domination in the society as a whole. In particular, I was shocked a couple of times at the abuse that Eon took from her master, who supposedly was also a mentor, to the point that she was afraid to tell him important information because he would beat her. The emperor's son also punishes subjects with a casual brutality that seems out of proportion to me. Although I didn't always like it, it does fit the setting.
This doesn't really feel like a YA novel even though Eon is only 16. It's for a more mature audience, with the violence and attempted rapes, and there's no romance (at least so far). I found it a refreshing read with a unique eastern flavor. Honestly, I can't wait to continue the story, and will be picking up the sequel right away. It's the first book in a duology, and ends right in the middle of all hell broken loose.
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