Scan barcode
kjboldon's review against another edition
4.0
Do not read this book if you crave likeable main characters! If you're good with prickly, messy ones who make terrible decisions and sabotage relationships, then come on in. This books sounds like it's fantasy and was shelved in mystery, but it's a literary coming-of-age novel with an ecological slant, about Meg, a zookeeper whose main charge is a Komodo dragon that has just, improbably, laid a clutch of eggs. Meg, a socially inept woman in her late 20's, gets along with very few people but works hard to give her zoo-bound Komodo dragon a good life. There were a few hiccups as I read, like why Meg would be allowed to do certain things, and some side characters that could've used more time onstage, but overall, this was a page-turning ecological novel with a captivatingly unruly main character, a solid page-turning plot, and an aspect to the end of the kind that I usually spot when no one else does, and this time didnt see coming. This is a solidly done (and obviously well researched) first novel.
kjboldon's review
5.0
Not a fantasy book! Eco lit about Komodo dragons!
I know I wrote a review for this book last fall so I don't know where it's gone. I had to re read the beginning for a class and I kept going. This is a first novel, so there are some bits and pieces that aren't perfect. But the whole is so good, IMO, that they didn't bug me.
Fair warning, it has a super unlikeable narrator. If you must like your main character, go elsewhere, but otherwise stay for acerbic, traumatized, hates people but loves lizards, zookeeper Meg Yancy.
Meg is the keeper for Jata, who lays viable eggs but hasn't encountered a dude dragon for years. This so-called virgin birth confounds everyone and puts Meg at the center of a rising cyclone that involves her boss, boyfriend, co-worker friend, local news team, her dad, the zoo's vet and some famous woman scientist. Meg is a mess, and so is her life. As she painfully pieces together how to move forward in her life, there is collateral damage aplenty. Also, some HOT angry sex.
Today I had work to do so I told myself I'd finish it later. Nope. Picked it up and read through till the satisfying and bittersweet ending. I didn't have to read the whole thing again, but I did. I didn't have to finish it, but once started I did. A compelling read with a good cast of characters, an actual real dragon (and babies!), and some big questions on the ethics of zoo's, and how animals and humans can live together, or not.
I know I wrote a review for this book last fall so I don't know where it's gone. I had to re read the beginning for a class and I kept going. This is a first novel, so there are some bits and pieces that aren't perfect. But the whole is so good, IMO, that they didn't bug me.
Fair warning, it has a super unlikeable narrator. If you must like your main character, go elsewhere, but otherwise stay for acerbic, traumatized, hates people but loves lizards, zookeeper Meg Yancy.
Meg is the keeper for Jata, who lays viable eggs but hasn't encountered a dude dragon for years. This so-called virgin birth confounds everyone and puts Meg at the center of a rising cyclone that involves her boss, boyfriend, co-worker friend, local news team, her dad, the zoo's vet and some famous woman scientist. Meg is a mess, and so is her life. As she painfully pieces together how to move forward in her life, there is collateral damage aplenty. Also, some HOT angry sex.
Today I had work to do so I told myself I'd finish it later. Nope. Picked it up and read through till the satisfying and bittersweet ending. I didn't have to read the whole thing again, but I did. I didn't have to finish it, but once started I did. A compelling read with a good cast of characters, an actual real dragon (and babies!), and some big questions on the ethics of zoo's, and how animals and humans can live together, or not.
linnyb's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cozykrysti's review
4.0
The Dragon Keeper
Book Review
Mindy Mejia’s debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, is a heartwarming tale sure to captivate animal lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
Meg Yancy is a hot-tempered woman much more likely to breathe fire than the Komodo Dragons in which she cares for. She works for the Zoo of America as the reptile keeper and has been given the daunting responsibility of caring for the zoo’s only Komodo Dragon, Jata. Meg and Jata form an uncommon bond, and when Jata lays a clutch of eggs that is not only special, but physically impossible, Meg is determined to do anything to protect her not only from the onslaught of media that surround her, but also from the scientists that yearn to dissect her.
As Meg battles off reporters and zoo administrators, trying to ensure the safety and well being of Jata and her hatchlings, her world begins to crumble around her. Her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, is deteriorating, her absentee father makes an unexpected appearance, and she can’t sort out her feelings for Antonio, the zoo’s overly-charming head veterinarian. Meg doesn’t know how much more she can take, but even more alarming, she doesn’t know how much more Jata can take.
When the story begins, it seems the plot will be highly predictable. It is obvious that Meg and Antonio will begin a relationship, and it appears that Jata’s fate has already been carefully planned out, but Mejia surprises the reader with twists and turns that are not only unexpected but strangely satisfying.
While Meg isn’t exactly a likable character, the way Mejia slowly unravels Meg’s secrets, jumping back and forth from past to present, makes her surly disposition not only understandable but also incredibly believable. Meg, in fact, describes herself quite aptly by saying, “Once there was a woman who didn’t like people very much, and her best friend was a dragon, a very special dragon …”.
And Meg isn’t the only character with an impressive amount of depth in this story. Mejia handles the development of several of her characters with an admirable degree of skill. Ben, Antonio, even Chuck, Meg’s cantankerous boss, prove to have much more to them than the clichéd personas they appear to possess at the beginning of the novel.
The amount of research Mejia undertook is apparent in the detailed descriptions of Jata’s habits and behaviors as well as the information given about the species in general. The way in which Mejia explains how the dragons interact with the human population that surrounds them and the manner in which they were originally transported to American zoos was remarkably eye opening.
This book is perfect not only for those with a passion for animals, but also those looking for a fascinating read that is beyond the mainstream genres.
Book Review
Mindy Mejia’s debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, is a heartwarming tale sure to captivate animal lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
Meg Yancy is a hot-tempered woman much more likely to breathe fire than the Komodo Dragons in which she cares for. She works for the Zoo of America as the reptile keeper and has been given the daunting responsibility of caring for the zoo’s only Komodo Dragon, Jata. Meg and Jata form an uncommon bond, and when Jata lays a clutch of eggs that is not only special, but physically impossible, Meg is determined to do anything to protect her not only from the onslaught of media that surround her, but also from the scientists that yearn to dissect her.
As Meg battles off reporters and zoo administrators, trying to ensure the safety and well being of Jata and her hatchlings, her world begins to crumble around her. Her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, is deteriorating, her absentee father makes an unexpected appearance, and she can’t sort out her feelings for Antonio, the zoo’s overly-charming head veterinarian. Meg doesn’t know how much more she can take, but even more alarming, she doesn’t know how much more Jata can take.
When the story begins, it seems the plot will be highly predictable. It is obvious that Meg and Antonio will begin a relationship, and it appears that Jata’s fate has already been carefully planned out, but Mejia surprises the reader with twists and turns that are not only unexpected but strangely satisfying.
While Meg isn’t exactly a likable character, the way Mejia slowly unravels Meg’s secrets, jumping back and forth from past to present, makes her surly disposition not only understandable but also incredibly believable. Meg, in fact, describes herself quite aptly by saying, “Once there was a woman who didn’t like people very much, and her best friend was a dragon, a very special dragon …”.
And Meg isn’t the only character with an impressive amount of depth in this story. Mejia handles the development of several of her characters with an admirable degree of skill. Ben, Antonio, even Chuck, Meg’s cantankerous boss, prove to have much more to them than the clichéd personas they appear to possess at the beginning of the novel.
The amount of research Mejia undertook is apparent in the detailed descriptions of Jata’s habits and behaviors as well as the information given about the species in general. The way in which Mejia explains how the dragons interact with the human population that surrounds them and the manner in which they were originally transported to American zoos was remarkably eye opening.
This book is perfect not only for those with a passion for animals, but also those looking for a fascinating read that is beyond the mainstream genres.
krystimuggle's review
4.0
The Dragon Keeper
Book Review
Mindy Mejia’s debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, is a heartwarming tale sure to captivate animal lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
Meg Yancy is a hot-tempered woman much more likely to breathe fire than the Komodo Dragons in which she cares for. She works for the Zoo of America as the reptile keeper and has been given the daunting responsibility of caring for the zoo’s only Komodo Dragon, Jata. Meg and Jata form an uncommon bond, and when Jata lays a clutch of eggs that is not only special, but physically impossible, Meg is determined to do anything to protect her not only from the onslaught of media that surround her, but also from the scientists that yearn to dissect her.
As Meg battles off reporters and zoo administrators, trying to ensure the safety and well being of Jata and her hatchlings, her world begins to crumble around her. Her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, is deteriorating, her absentee father makes an unexpected appearance, and she can’t sort out her feelings for Antonio, the zoo’s overly-charming head veterinarian. Meg doesn’t know how much more she can take, but even more alarming, she doesn’t know how much more Jata can take.
When the story begins, it seems the plot will be highly predictable. It is obvious that Meg and Antonio will begin a relationship, and it appears that Jata’s fate has already been carefully planned out, but Mejia surprises the reader with twists and turns that are not only unexpected but strangely satisfying.
While Meg isn’t exactly a likable character, the way Mejia slowly unravels Meg’s secrets, jumping back and forth from past to present, makes her surly disposition not only understandable but also incredibly believable. Meg, in fact, describes herself quite aptly by saying, “Once there was a woman who didn’t like people very much, and her best friend was a dragon, a very special dragon …”.
And Meg isn’t the only character with an impressive amount of depth in this story. Mejia handles the development of several of her characters with an admirable degree of skill. Ben, Antonio, even Chuck, Meg’s cantankerous boss, prove to have much more to them than the clichéd personas they appear to possess at the beginning of the novel.
The amount of research Mejia undertook is apparent in the detailed descriptions of Jata’s habits and behaviors as well as the information given about the species in general. The way in which Mejia explains how the dragons interact with the human population that surrounds them and the manner in which they were originally transported to American zoos was remarkably eye opening.
This book is perfect not only for those with a passion for animals, but also those looking for a fascinating read that is beyond the mainstream genres.
Book Review
Mindy Mejia’s debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, is a heartwarming tale sure to captivate animal lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
Meg Yancy is a hot-tempered woman much more likely to breathe fire than the Komodo Dragons in which she cares for. She works for the Zoo of America as the reptile keeper and has been given the daunting responsibility of caring for the zoo’s only Komodo Dragon, Jata. Meg and Jata form an uncommon bond, and when Jata lays a clutch of eggs that is not only special, but physically impossible, Meg is determined to do anything to protect her not only from the onslaught of media that surround her, but also from the scientists that yearn to dissect her.
As Meg battles off reporters and zoo administrators, trying to ensure the safety and well being of Jata and her hatchlings, her world begins to crumble around her. Her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, is deteriorating, her absentee father makes an unexpected appearance, and she can’t sort out her feelings for Antonio, the zoo’s overly-charming head veterinarian. Meg doesn’t know how much more she can take, but even more alarming, she doesn’t know how much more Jata can take.
When the story begins, it seems the plot will be highly predictable. It is obvious that Meg and Antonio will begin a relationship, and it appears that Jata’s fate has already been carefully planned out, but Mejia surprises the reader with twists and turns that are not only unexpected but strangely satisfying.
While Meg isn’t exactly a likable character, the way Mejia slowly unravels Meg’s secrets, jumping back and forth from past to present, makes her surly disposition not only understandable but also incredibly believable. Meg, in fact, describes herself quite aptly by saying, “Once there was a woman who didn’t like people very much, and her best friend was a dragon, a very special dragon …”.
And Meg isn’t the only character with an impressive amount of depth in this story. Mejia handles the development of several of her characters with an admirable degree of skill. Ben, Antonio, even Chuck, Meg’s cantankerous boss, prove to have much more to them than the clichéd personas they appear to possess at the beginning of the novel.
The amount of research Mejia undertook is apparent in the detailed descriptions of Jata’s habits and behaviors as well as the information given about the species in general. The way in which Mejia explains how the dragons interact with the human population that surrounds them and the manner in which they were originally transported to American zoos was remarkably eye opening.
This book is perfect not only for those with a passion for animals, but also those looking for a fascinating read that is beyond the mainstream genres.
krystimeyer's review against another edition
4.0
The Dragon Keeper
Book Review
Mindy Mejia’s debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, is a heartwarming tale sure to captivate animal lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
Meg Yancy is a hot-tempered woman much more likely to breathe fire than the Komodo Dragons in which she cares for. She works for the Zoo of America as the reptile keeper and has been given the daunting responsibility of caring for the zoo’s only Komodo Dragon, Jata. Meg and Jata form an uncommon bond, and when Jata lays a clutch of eggs that is not only special, but physically impossible, Meg is determined to do anything to protect her not only from the onslaught of media that surround her, but also from the scientists that yearn to dissect her.
As Meg battles off reporters and zoo administrators, trying to ensure the safety and well being of Jata and her hatchlings, her world begins to crumble around her. Her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, is deteriorating, her absentee father makes an unexpected appearance, and she can’t sort out her feelings for Antonio, the zoo’s overly-charming head veterinarian. Meg doesn’t know how much more she can take, but even more alarming, she doesn’t know how much more Jata can take.
When the story begins, it seems the plot will be highly predictable. It is obvious that Meg and Antonio will begin a relationship, and it appears that Jata’s fate has already been carefully planned out, but Mejia surprises the reader with twists and turns that are not only unexpected but strangely satisfying.
While Meg isn’t exactly a likable character, the way Mejia slowly unravels Meg’s secrets, jumping back and forth from past to present, makes her surly disposition not only understandable but also incredibly believable. Meg, in fact, describes herself quite aptly by saying, “Once there was a woman who didn’t like people very much, and her best friend was a dragon, a very special dragon …”.
And Meg isn’t the only character with an impressive amount of depth in this story. Mejia handles the development of several of her characters with an admirable degree of skill. Ben, Antonio, even Chuck, Meg’s cantankerous boss, prove to have much more to them than the clichéd personas they appear to possess at the beginning of the novel.
The amount of research Mejia undertook is apparent in the detailed descriptions of Jata’s habits and behaviors as well as the information given about the species in general. The way in which Mejia explains how the dragons interact with the human population that surrounds them and the manner in which they were originally transported to American zoos was remarkably eye opening.
This book is perfect not only for those with a passion for animals, but also those looking for a fascinating read that is beyond the mainstream genres.
Book Review
Mindy Mejia’s debut novel, The Dragon Keeper, is a heartwarming tale sure to captivate animal lovers and book enthusiasts alike.
Meg Yancy is a hot-tempered woman much more likely to breathe fire than the Komodo Dragons in which she cares for. She works for the Zoo of America as the reptile keeper and has been given the daunting responsibility of caring for the zoo’s only Komodo Dragon, Jata. Meg and Jata form an uncommon bond, and when Jata lays a clutch of eggs that is not only special, but physically impossible, Meg is determined to do anything to protect her not only from the onslaught of media that surround her, but also from the scientists that yearn to dissect her.
As Meg battles off reporters and zoo administrators, trying to ensure the safety and well being of Jata and her hatchlings, her world begins to crumble around her. Her relationship with Ben, her boyfriend of seven years, is deteriorating, her absentee father makes an unexpected appearance, and she can’t sort out her feelings for Antonio, the zoo’s overly-charming head veterinarian. Meg doesn’t know how much more she can take, but even more alarming, she doesn’t know how much more Jata can take.
When the story begins, it seems the plot will be highly predictable. It is obvious that Meg and Antonio will begin a relationship, and it appears that Jata’s fate has already been carefully planned out, but Mejia surprises the reader with twists and turns that are not only unexpected but strangely satisfying.
While Meg isn’t exactly a likable character, the way Mejia slowly unravels Meg’s secrets, jumping back and forth from past to present, makes her surly disposition not only understandable but also incredibly believable. Meg, in fact, describes herself quite aptly by saying, “Once there was a woman who didn’t like people very much, and her best friend was a dragon, a very special dragon …”.
And Meg isn’t the only character with an impressive amount of depth in this story. Mejia handles the development of several of her characters with an admirable degree of skill. Ben, Antonio, even Chuck, Meg’s cantankerous boss, prove to have much more to them than the clichéd personas they appear to possess at the beginning of the novel.
The amount of research Mejia undertook is apparent in the detailed descriptions of Jata’s habits and behaviors as well as the information given about the species in general. The way in which Mejia explains how the dragons interact with the human population that surrounds them and the manner in which they were originally transported to American zoos was remarkably eye opening.
This book is perfect not only for those with a passion for animals, but also those looking for a fascinating read that is beyond the mainstream genres.
More...